2011 Angels: What Went RIGHT

I’ve been thinking maybe we needed a new cast to take us past the playoff faliures we have witnessed over the last few years. In the late 90’s did we look like a world series team? not really, but look what happened.
Bourjos, Trout, Trumbo, Weaver will take us to the long awaited day when Jordan Walden blasts a 101mph heater by the last batter of the fall classic

Stud.

 
If you ain’t first, you’re last.

dude was awesome on defense & offense.

It was from the moment Kendrys was out for the season. To be eliminated in the last regular season series shows that a lot went right, but that we didn’t have enough to get over the hump.

When you see the implosion in Boston, it shows that overpaying is not the answer either. Our rookies were good, they just need a little more seasoning, cut out some of the deadwood, and bulk up on intestinal fortitude.

2012 can be a heck of a year.

Torii was streaky throughout the year. Terrible June and July, awesome August, etc. However, in the end, Torii’s production stayed pretty consistent to what he’s done the entire time as an Angel. The numbers dipped ever so slightly but I believe numbers were down throughout the league so its expected. That being said he once again hit 23 HRs for us and knocked in 80+ RBI’s like he’s done the past 4 years for the Halos.

Plus, his adjustment to RF and NEVER being a ego-maniac are all positives to Torii’s legacy as a Halo.

Considering that we only have Torii for one more year, I think its nice to know that Torii produced about as well as we expected through a majority of his contract. Good move, TR (gasp!)

After 6 1/2 half tense innings of Haren vs. Sabathia, the Halos smashed the Skanks bullpen and went on to a big win. That, coupled with a Texas loss, cut the AL West lead to 1 1/2 games.

That night at the big A was the high water mark; my favorite of the season. The crowd had life and energy and the West looked winnable. My feet barely touched the parking lot as I walked out that night.

We may not have pulled out the West, but that night provided that child-like joy that only your favorite team in a pennant race can bring.

Add the potential of Kmo to Trumbo, Bourjos, and Trout and you are entitled to some optimism, especially with our core starting pitching. But somewhere we need to find some clutch hitting other than Maicer. Howie put up nice numbers but I can’t say I have any confidence in him late in any game in a critical situation. He just doesn’t have good AB’s. That goes triple for Aybar. His legacy is to FAIL in the clutch. Both are good when the pressure is NOT on, but if we get back to the postseason you need guys who can handle the stress and have good AB’s against playoff caliber pitching. I know I am preaching to the choir if I mention our catching situation, and it was fitting that Naps put a spotlight on that black-hole. Here’s to hoping that mgmt honestly addresses the problem areas.

“Hope is a great thing. Maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.” – Andy Dufresne

Living here in Boston, it’s ironic to me that Red Sox fans now hate John Lackey ten times more than we Angels fans ever did.

Personally, think that Lackey needs to go the NL.

1) Ervin Santana’s no-hitter. I watched that morning game alone with my 1 year Baby Manatee. I think even she knew that something special was happening. It transcended all the typical frustrations of this 2011 team, and it put some fear in hitters across the league, knowing that our THIRD starter is that good. It gave some hope that maybe a team built on pitching and defense really can succeed.

Im terrified that his good, bad, good trend continues. Santana continues to be the AL version of Chad Billingsley.

2) Mark Trumbo’s pending rookie-of-the-year campaign. I’ve seen articles from both FS and ESPN pinning him as the front runner for the award, with competition mainly from Ivan Nova. In some ways, Trumbo was Wally Joyner reincarnate, and watching him play this season brought me back in fits and spurts to the simplistic childhood love I had for baseball back in the days of Wally World.

Its Hellickson’s award. Trumbo will not win especially with the Rays getting in to the playoffs.

3) Jered Weaver’s re-signing. Aside from commanding the role of staff ace, and giving Cy Young caliber outings almost every time he took the hill, WTY shocked us all by re-signing mid-season for a nice hometown discount. He made us all fall in love with his “how much do you need?” press conference. This gives us hope for the future. Let us also not forget two minor victories that tie in with this: we succeeded in signing a Boras client, and the FO departed from its often infuriating policy of not negotiating contracts during the season.

Agreed

4) Mike Trout’s call-up. At only 19 years old, Trout was the exciting mid-season call up this year, not to take anything away from Bourjos who is still deserving of his own credit. He showed flashes of what he is almost certain to become, a 5 tool mainstay in the line-up for years to come. With his 2 HR game and his flashing leather, he expunged the last of the woes over the failed Brandon Wood experiment, and restored our confidence in our minor league system.

Trout is clearly a 4 tool player at best, his arm is awful and will not improve. I am still extremely concerned with the systemic approach to hitting and the approach that Hatcher instills on young prospects who actually listen.

5) Howie Kendrick’s all-star season. I know there are still Halos Heaven Howie Haters out there, but for the life of me, I cannot figure out why. Although he finished the season with a sub .300 average, and still failed to win that batting title that other people promised he would win someday, Howie took an already successful career to a new level. He showed greater versatility with a number of starts at 1B and LF, and at the same time seemed to improve his range at 2B. He showed that he can hit almost anywhere in the line-up, and he showed some more power, turning some of those doubles he loves so much into a career high 18 home runs.

Im not sure where to put Kendrick in any lineup, as he seems to be a weird tweener. Howie hits, but does not walk. HIs power isnt amazing but isnt bad either. Decent speed, but not 20 SB worthy. Can’t hit him too high because of his OBP, isnt a terrific 3/4 guy and cant hit him too low to waste his ability to hit the ball. I really dont know. a 6 guy?

Either way his defense came around this year and he just needs a home in the lineup to take the next step.

But it is nice to see the positives. I’ll start remembering those around December. Right now, I’m going to be bitter. No way to change it.

I’ve seen him in person, and it’s about as exciting as a full ride scholarship to Oral Roberts University, but I sure like the cut of his jib.

P Bo + Williams as a back end starter = BIG HOPE!