CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 15: Raisel Iglesias #32 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 15, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
We’re two months into the 2022 season and the Los Angeles Angels are still in the thick of things in the AL West. Who could be some first-time All-Stars for the club?
Los Angeles Angels superstars Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani are both going to be front and center at this year’s All-Star Game, that much is pretty much guaranteed. However, this Angels club has had some more surprise producers than the usual suspects and it currently consists of some intriguing ASG options.
Heading into this season, utilityman David Fletcher would’ve been a great choice for a piece like this as he possesses the ability to get on base consistently and plays above-average defense at multiple positions. Unfortunately for player, fan base, and front office, he has struggled with injuries to begin the year.
Who could be some intriguing choices to make their first All-Star Game?
#3 – RHP Raisel Iglesias (Closer)
I can’t be the only person out there that’s surprised Raisel Iglesias has never made an All-Star Game before, can I?
The 32-year-old righty was the closer for the Cincinnati Reds from 2016-2020 and has always been a high-strikeout, low-walk pitcher. Home runs have been a bit of an issue for him throughout his career and I’m not sure that at this stage in his career he can turn that specific flaw around, but the positive marks on his player profile make him an easy option for this list.
Iglesias, in his second season as an Angel, played for the club last year and was one of the more dominant closers in the entire game. He appeared in 65 contests for the Halos, posting a 2.57 ERA with a 2.83 FIP and 172 ERA+. He struck out 103 batters in just 70 innings and shockingly walked only 12 batters all season. He earned a career-high 34 saves along the way and also miraculously won seven games too, a stat that is rarely seen from a pitcher who is solely a closer.
His 2021 showing and 11th place finish in the AL Cy Young voting earned him a contract extension in Anaheim, locking him up for four more seasons.
When Iglesias is on, he can be a scary pitcher to face. It won’t be surprising in any way to see him representing this Angels club alongside Trout and Ohtani in this year’s All-Star Game.
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – MAY 15: Patrick Sandoval #43 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the seventh inning at RingCentral Coliseum on May 15, 2022 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
#2 – LHP Patrick Sandoval (Starting pitcher)
Depending on who you talk to, Patrick Sandoval seemed to be a star in the making as early as last season for the Angels at just 24 years of age.
Sandoval, a left-handed starter, made 17 appearances for the club last season and posted a 122 ERA+ with 94 strikeouts in 87 innings, starting 14 games down the stretch.
To begin this season, however, he has taken his game to a whole new level. In eight starts so far, Sandoval has a 2.70 ERA with an even better 2.65 FIP to go with 42 strikeouts and 20 walks in 43+ innings. The most eye-opening stat on his player profile is the fact that he has yet to allow a single home run this year, tying him with Martín Pérez and Michael Kopech for the lowest amount of home runs allowed this season.
OAKLAND, CA – MAY 15: Taylor Ward #3 of the Los Angeles Angels bats during the game against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on May 15, 2022 in Oakland, California. The Angels defeated the Athletics 4-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /
#1 – Taylor Ward (Outfielder)
If one is to take a look at Taylor Ward‘s minor league stats once he reached the upper minors, his 2022 breakout performance may not be much of a surprise. The fact that he is performing this well, though, is insanity. Mike Trout has competition on his own team for best outfielder.
The catcher-turned-third baseman-turned-first baseman-turned-outfielder has finally found a defensive home in the outfield after taking years to settle in at any one position. Ward has added center field to his defensive repertoire too and has looked surprisingly strong out there.
While Trout or even Brandon Marsh will handle center, Ward is a more-than-capable option in right field, where he’s seen the majority of his playing time this season.
On offense, Ward has been unreal. He has already posted 2.4 bWAR in his first 34 games and has 10 home runs and 26 RBI to go along with it. In 142 plate appearances, Ward has drawn 25 walks and struck out just 30 times, showing a newly improved eye at the plate.
Next. Shohei Ohtani and the Hall of Fame. dark
Ward also leads the major leagues in SLG (.709) and OPS (1.181) and currently boasts an incredible OPS+ of 238. He has been an extra-base machine and has certainly earned himself a spot on this ASG roster.
