Countdown to Opening Day: #22 Los Angeles Angels

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#22: Los Angeles Angels: Halos hoping to rebound

PROJECTED LINEUP
SS Erick Aybar
CF Mike Trout
1B Albert Pujols
LF Josh Hamilton
3B David Freese
DH Raul Ibanez
2B Howie Kendrick
RF Kole Calhoun
C Chris Iannetta

PROJECTED ROTATION

Jered Weaver
CJ Wilson
Garrett Richards
Hector Santiago
Tyler Skaggs

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Ernesto Frieri

Set-up: Joe Smith

Top Prospect: Kaleb Cowart (3B)

I still believe Mike Scioscia is one of the better manager in baseball and I think some of the superstars in

Mike Scioscia

the lineup should be able to bounce back from down years. But the pitching staff is worrisome. Not even the best player in baseball Mike Trout, or two former MVPs in Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton can overcome their lack of depth on the mound.
While Jered Weaver and CJ Wilson are two above average starters, they are now what they were two years ago, and they do not have the 3-through-5 they had when the Halos were contenders. Garrett Richards, Hector Santiago, and Tyler Skaggs are all questions.
Give them props for not standing and skill and seeing what swapping Mark Trumbo and bringing in David Freese can do. We have seen Freese win a World Series MVP and we have seen him struggle playing for his home town team. Freese and Skaggs, the big prize in the Trumbo deal, are the real swing players in the 2014 season. If things fall apart early it could be the end of Scioscia's tenure in Cali.

THEY CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - Finally the Halos have a strong enough season that Mike Trout's numbers lead toward his first of many MVP awards. Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton bounce back nicely and makes those three the most dominating 2-3-4 in the game. Add in Freese's production and the emergence of Tyler Skaggs and the Angels run away with the division.

Mike Trout

REAL TALK - I look for Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton to bounce back half way, but not quite to their MVP levels. But there is already concern Jered Weaver is not the pitcher he used to be and that is not what the Angels wanted to hear with a rebuilt, yet lackluster rotation. Currently they have Joe Blanton pegged for the bullpen, but I could see him getting his starts eventually out of desperation and that is not good for the Halos chances.

Breakout: Tyler Skaggs (LHP)

Bust: Kole Calhoun (RF)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Albert Pujols (1B) 

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 78-84 (4th in AL West)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 77-85 (4th in AL West)

**Check back tomorrow for the New York Mets*