Team Fantasy Preview - Los Angeles Angels
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Throughout the preseason, we will be previewing all 30 teams and what their rosters bring to the fantasy baseball table. This edition covers the Los Angeles Angels.
Projected Lineup
| ORDER | POSITION | NAME | BATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 3B | Yunel Escobar | R |
| 2. | RF | Kole Calhoun | L |
| 3. | CF | Mike Trout | R |
| 4. | DH | Albert Pujols | R |
| 5. | 1B | C.J. Cron | R |
| 6. | LF | Cameron Maybin | R |
| 7. | 2B | Danny Espinosa | S |
| 8. | SS | Andrelton Simmons | R |
| 9. | C | Martin Maldonado | R |
| BENCH | 1B/3B | Luis Valbuena | L |
| BENCH | OF | Ben Revere | L |
Projected Rotation
| ORDER | NAME | THROWS |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Garrett Richards | R |
| 2. | Ricky Nolasco | R |
| 3. | Matt Shoemaker | R |
| 4. | Tyler Skaggs | L |
| 5. | Alex Meyer | R |
Bullpen Hierarchy
| ROLE | NAME | THROWS |
|---|---|---|
| Closer | Huston Street | R |
| Set-Up | Cam Bedrosian | R |
| RP | Andrew Bailey | R |
Top Prospect to Watch in 2017
None. The Angels don't have a single prospect listed in the top 100, according to MLB Pipeline. If you're looking to stash a prospect, check out the other 29 teams in baseball.
Who Will Drive You Crazy?
Richards has nasty stuff, but in his first season back from Tommy John surgery, he could frustrate fantasy owners with his inconsistency. The expected lack of run support will also hurt him in the win column.
The One to Own
This is the obvious answer, but Trout. Even though Albert Pujols hit 31 homers and drove in 119 runs last year, I wouldn't want to go anywhere near him with the way his body is breaking down. Calhoun is a solid OF in deep leagues, but Trout is the only safe fantasy option on the roster.
Top Sleeper
While Trout is the only safe option, Cron does have upside. He posted a .792 OPS in 2016, but he only played in 116 games. He has 25-homer, 90-RBI potential hitting behind Trout and Pujols if he can manage to stay healthy.
(Photos courtesy Action Images)