Angels pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training on Feb. 11. As we count down the days until camp begins, we are going through the various position groups to give a breakdown of where the roster stands. Today, the outfielders. Previously, the catchers.
2024 RECAP
The player who is supposed to be the core of the Angels’ outfield – the core of the whole team, in fact – was once again out for most of the season. Center fielder Mike Trout played just 29 games before suffering a torn meniscus. The Angels hoped their three-time American League MVP would be back in two months, but he ended up missing five, including a setback that led to a second surgery. His absence opened the door for Kevin Pillar, who signed as a free agent after Trout was hurt. Pillar was productive initially, before tailing off at the end. Left fielder Taylor Ward was the constant, playing 156 games and producing 25 home runs with a .748 OPS, which included a midseason slump and then a strong finish. Right fielder Jo Adell finally established himself as a major leaguer, hitting 20 homers with a .682 OPS. Mickey Moniak got off to a bad start, but finished strong, hitting 14 homers with a .646 OPS.
HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW
Because of Trout’s injury history – he’s missed more than half of the season in three of the past four years – there was talk of him becoming a full-time DH or moving to a corner. It is likely that the Angels will use him more at DH, but they still see him as an outfielder. There is concern that if he’s a full-time DH, he’d take even more swings in the cage, which could be more of an injury risk than playing the outfield. And since the Angels didn’t acquire anyone who could be an everyday center fielder, it still looks like Trout will get most of his time in center. Ward is set to return to left field, although there have been trade rumors swirling around him. The Angels could use either Adell or Moniak in right field. The Angels also acquired Jorge Soler in a trade with the Atlanta Braves. Although Soler profiles primarily as a DH, he could see time in the outfield, particularly on days when the Angels want Trout to DH. Soler, who hit 21 homers with a .780 OPS last season, should add some thump to the lineup.
THE NEXT LAYER
If the Angels have to dig beyond their top five outfielders, they could have some issues. Matthew Lugo, who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in the Luis Garcia trade last season, is primed to make his major league debut sometime this season. He posted a .954 OPS in the minors last season, but he was hurt almost immediately after the Angels acquired him. Bryce Teodosio and Gustavo Campero could each fill in here and there. The next real everyday outfielder the Angels have in the pipeline is Nelson Rada, who is one of their top prospects. Although Rada reached Double-A last season, he’s still just 19. He could be in the big leagues this season, or not until 2027.
MOVE THEY COULD MAKE
There are no more free agents who would be significant difference-makers in the outfield for the Angels, but they clearly still need some depth. Acquiring a top outfield prospect would probably be difficult unless the Angels are willing to trade an established player like Ward. They could try to swing a deal for a complementary player who can play center field, perhaps someone like Alek Thomas from the Arizona Diamondbacks.