Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani won’t be the only Angels being honored at the All-Star Game this summer. Jared Walsh was announced as an American League reserve on Sunday.
All I can say is, well deserved.
Walsh, a former 39th round pick, has been excellent for the Angels in 2021. Entering Sunday’s game, Walsh was posting a slash of .284/.345/.564/.909. He has 20 home runs and 60 RBI along with 21 doubles. Forget being one of the best hitters on the Angels... he’s been one of the best hitters in all of the American League.
This breakout season doesn’t come as a surprise, as he really jumped onto the scene to end the 2020 campaign. After an incredible month of September, he was named the American League Player of the Month. Since then, he’s been one of the most consistent and dominant hitters in baseball.
In 112 games going back to 2020, he’s hitting .286 with an OPS of .924 and has an OPS+ of 143. He also has 29 home runs and 86 RBI.
Shohei Ohtani has been stealing the spotlight (rightfully so), but Walsh has quickly emerged into one of the best hitters in all of baseball and has been fantastic for the Halos in 2021.