In a disappointing season the Los Angeles Angels received yet another Player of the Year performance from their perennial AL MVP candidate center fielder.
The Los Angeles Angels had produced winning seasons in 10 of the previous 12 campaigns, and in 15 of the last 19, heading into the 2016 season. However, for a disturbing second time in the last four years the Angels experienced one of those losing campaigns. In fact, the club’s 74-88 finish was their worst since 1999.
Angels 2016 Statistical Leaders
Offensively, veteran DH Albert Pujols banged 31 home runs and produced 119 RBI. In just 445 plate appearances, 26-year-old first baseman C.J. Cron hit .278 with 16 homers and 69 RBI.
Jefry Marte was called up in May and provided the Halos with tremendous versatility, appearing in 29 games at first base, 27 in left field, 22 at third base, and even in four as the DH. He produced 15 home runs and 44 RBI over just 284 plate appearances.
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On the mound, veteran Jered Weaver led the staff with a dozen wins, 31 starts, and 178 innings pitched. Matt Shoemaker was second with 27 starts and 160 innings pitched, and his 143 strikeouts led the staff by a wide margin.
The Angels bullpen had a ton of problems, but newly 25-year-old Cam Bedrosian wasn’t one of them. His season was ended in early August by a blood clot in his arm that required surgery, but he should be fine for Spring Training.
Bedrosian allowed just 30 hits over 40.1 innings with a 51/14 K:BB ratio. He had a 1.12 ERA and a 1.091 WHIP with a 2.13 FIP and an incredible 358 ERA+ mark.
Trout is Once Again the Angels Player of the Year
But the top player for the Angels this season was the player who has held that distinction almost from the first moment that he stepped onto a big league field, center fielder Mike Trout.
This season, Trout hit for a .315/.441/.550 slash line with 29 home runs, 100 RBI, 123 runs scored, 66 extra-base hits, 116 walks, and 30 stolen bases.
Last week, Trout took home his fifth consecutive Silver Slugger Award, and is a finalist this season for the American League Most Valuable Player honors.
More Trout Accomplishments
The 2012 AL Rookie of the Year and 2014 AL MVP was also an American League All-Star this season. He has won the Silver Slugger, been an All-Star, and either won or been the runner-up for the AL MVP in each of his four full seasons leading into 2016.
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Trout’s incredible 10.6 WAR season marked the second time in his big league career, the other being that 2012 rookie campaign, in which he registered a 10+ WAR.
“WAR?” he said for a nice piece by Ted Berg for USA Today during the MLB All-Star Game break back in July. “I’ve heard of it, but I couldn’t tell you what goes into it. I don’t really know much about it, so I can’t comment I guess. I don’t really think about that stuff, I go out there and play…just prepare for the game, and whatever happens, happens.”
What usually happens when he takes the field is something special. In 2016, it once again all adds up to Mike Trout being named as the Los Angeles Angels Player of the Year.