The unsung hero. The innings eater. The difference-maker. The X-factor.
The X-factor … every team has one. The guy that every fandom knows about that makes the national audience scratch their head when he balls out on national television. The X-factor can sometimes be the engine of the team.
X-factor conditions
- My very loose definition of an X-factor: Any player whose team’s performance would be greatly improved if that player’s peak performance is sustained throughout an entire season
- I have eliminated players returning from significant injury. For example, obviously, the Houston Astros would benefit immensely from a full season of Justin Verlander since his production was zero last year.
- Players that have been noted in serious trade talks have also been excluded. I want the X-factor to still be on the roster come Opening Day.
Los Angeles Angels: Starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval
Ohtani is the obvious answer here. I don’t think we will ever see a season quite like last year, but a starting rotation is comprised of five players, not one. Barring another year in which Anthony Rendon and Mike Trout both miss the back half of the season, the team’s offense will be serviceable. It won’t be the end of the world if Ohtani only hits 25 home runs instead of 45+. The Achilles heel for the Angels ever since Mike Trout joined the Angels in 2011 is the lack of starting pitching depth. The Angels have always preferred spending heavily on hitting rather than pitching and have a suspect record at developing internal options.
Patrick Sandoval may be the first one in a while to buck the trend. The former Astros farmhand who came over in the Martin Maldonado swap has been a welcome surprise for Angels fans desperate for quality arms. Sandoval, whose opportunity in the rotation came after a public transportation snafu in the Bay Area, has taken the opportunity and ran with it. Last season, Sandoval pitched to a 3.62 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and a 4.03 FIP.
If the Angels want any chance of competing, they have to alleviate some pressure on Ohtani. On the pitching side, if newly acquired Noah Syndergaard can produce throughout the season, the Angels pitching woes may finally end.