AngelsHilo

Career WAR - La Stella - 1.1...Fletcher - 2.0. Fielding Ave. - La Stella - .982... Fletcher - .994 Again, I'm not questioning La Stella's role on the Roster. But he's at best a PH, should Start not more than 25 games this Season, and play late inning Defense to give guys a blow. He's not a 300 AB guy. Fletcher should at least get an opportunity for 300+ AB's. If he proves inadequate, give Ward or Rengifo shot. Again La Stella is not the solution.

At least Cozart had a history of being ok. I think it's admirable that he is trying to play out of position to be part of this team. His hitting will come around. He is no La Stella.

Om 3/11, MLBTR listed the following players as Out of Options - Angels Cam Bedrosian, RHP Kaleb Cowart, 2B/3B/RHP Luis Garcia, RHP Noe Ramirez, RHP Hansel Robles, RHP Kevan Smith, C So it seems Pena does have an Option.

So I wanted to look at a larger defensive sample size re: LaStella. I didn't realize this. I just assumed when we got him, La Stella was a decent singles hitter, sound defensively, and could be used as a pinch runner. Well, I looked at his numbers. His overall career fielding % is .973. His best position is 2B, at .983. Hardly stellar. He has a career 4SB's with 3 CS. Not sure if he is a good runner going from first to third or second to home, but he is definitely not a base stealing threat. He does have a career OPS of .709. I still believe he can be a great bench piece for us offensively. He could spell Fletcher or Cozart against tougher righty's as an occasional starter, or come in late in the game and play 1B for Albert or Bour. But to have him get 300 AB"s (which he has done once in his career in 2014 as a Braves rookie)? I don't think so. Last year with the Cubs, he had 192 PA's in 123 games. He started 22 games, of which two were as a DH. I think that's kind of the threshold for his playing time. I don't think splitting time with Fletcher is a short or long term solution. While we hope Fletcher will help with the bat, we know he won't give up extra outs/runs defensively. I think you need to let Fletcher play. If Fletcher screws up, then give his playing time to Ward or Rengifo.

How do you not know where you are in relationship to 2B? LaStella.Cut.mp4

Ask Kole and Trout what they thought of that cutoff play. Kole.cutoff.mp4

Not sure why people thought La Stella should receive significant playing time. Fletcher needs to be given the vast majority of PT in front of La Stella. In less than half a season Fletcher has a higher career WAR than La Stella. There is also no doubt on the huge defensive advantage that Fletcher brings to the field. Fletcher had a solid Spring, La Stella, not so much. Let David play. Tommy can come off the bench as a lefty pinch hitter or spell Bour or Pujols at 1B late in a blowout.

While we certainly are gonna miss Upton's bat, it's kinda nice having Petey earn an Opening Day start. He did well during the Spring, and hope his new swing continues in the regular season. The "spare parts" really make a difference. Every team is decent from 1-5 in the lineup. It's what the bottom of the order and bench can do that takes it one step further.

Whoa! Eppler making moves to create depth in the roster. Freeman, Stratton, now Goodwin. Eppler continues to make this roster interesting. Nice that we can let our young talent get a little more experience without forcing them up too quick.

From mlb.com Projected lineup1) Kole Calhoun, RF2) Mike Trout, CF3) Andrelton Simmons, SS4) Justin Bour, 1B5) Albert Pujols, DH6) Zack Cozart, 3B7) Jonathan Lucroy, C8) Peter Bourjos, LF9) Tommy La Stella, 2B

La Stella...he's gonna get a "lot of chances."

Oh wear that.

Walsh ROCKS!

BO!

Like that Rengifo got a hit. Hope he develops to be our leadoff hitter of the future.

Ebel made this game interesting. It was "must see."

Listening to Ebel is soooo cool! Verdugo with the F Bomb, LOL.

Nice having Dino mic'ed up at 3rd. Pretty interesting. Kole with a heckuva throw!

Should be fun to see how this all plays out. Looking forward to the development of the pitching staff and the depth we have offensively.

Yeah you are right. I don't see the Angels looking at fletcher for 700 PA's. Considering Trout, Upton, and Simmons barely averaged a little over 600 apiece last year.

Well you would know better than I. I guess I don't really see him as a 300 Plate appearance kind of guy.

How do you define "plenty of chances?" Do you see him getting the starting job in the infield? Is he the starter and Fletcher the backup? I see La Stella as a spot starter against a tough righty, a pinch hitter/runner, or defensive replacement. Nothing more than that. Is that "plenty of chances?"

If I could, would love to say I attended/watched Mike Trout's Press Conference. He will be the GOAT.

Great article from USA Today by Bob Nightingale on Trout - https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2019/03/19/mike-trout-never-wanted-to-leave-los-angeles-angels/3211347002/ Brings into perspective that Mike can play the game he loves for a ton of money, yet being an Angel, will still give him the personal privacy he can enjoy. Less pressure from friends, family, and media, on requests for his time and probably fortune if he isn't in the Philly or even East Coast area. I recall the Talking Heads complaining over the years that Trout is the greatest athlete that many sports fans would not recognize if he was walking down the street. That Baseball, the Angels, and Trout should better market Mike as the Face of Baseball in order to grow the game. Perhaps they should be resigned to the fact that Mike prefers his "anonymity" more than the Spotlight and that staying an Angel gets him the best of both worlds.

Wow. Nice to see the lack of belief that Bourjos worked hard to change his approach.