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No. 99: Greatest seasons in Angels history: Kendrys Morales, 2009

A near MVP season

New York Yankees v Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Game 4 Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Kendrys Morales, 2009

Stats: .306/.355/.569/.924, 34 HR, 108 RBI, 173 H, 86 R, 139 OPS+, .387 wOBA, 136 wRC+

Awards: AL MVP (5th), AL August Player of the Month, AL Player of the Week (Aug. 2)

Baseball Reference WAR: 4.3

FanGraphs WAR: 3.7

Combined WAR: 4


Kendrys Morales has been in the league since 2006. He’s had some really good seasons, but none better than the one he had in 2009 with the Angels. Finishing fifth in MVP voting, Morales was the best offensive player on the Angels that season.

He’s one of five players in team history to finish a season with at least 34 home runs, 108 RBI and 173 hits. For Morales, 2009 was a career-year all across the board. For the 26-year-old, he had career-high’s in home runs (34), RBI (108), hits (173), runs (86) and OPS (.924).

Though he was great all season, his best month of the year came in August. Not only did he win Player of the Week honors for the first week, he also won Player of the Month honors as well.

His hot August stretched back towards the end of July. From July 26 through August 31, Morales hit .377/.401/.754/1.155. He hit 13 home runs while driving in 39 runs. Additionally, he had 10 doubles and scored 27 runs.


Best game of season

August 28 vs. Oakland: 5-for-5, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 doubles


2009 American League rankings

  • .569 slugging percentage (2nd)
  • .924 OPS (8th)
  • 43 doubles (8th)
  • 322 total bases (6th)
  • 34 home runs (6th)
  • 108 RBI (5th)
  • 139 OPS+ (7th)
  • 79 extra base-hits (3rd)
  • 16.6 AB per home run (8th)

Get caught up on the rest of the “All-Time Angels” lists!