The LA Angels should be a tough organization to take down in 2012. Their batting order is unquestionably stacked, so let's take a quick look at the batters they are going to be playing on opening day. If you'd like a more detailed preview of the organization, check our Los Angeles Angels predictions.
Projected Lineup
Chris Iannetta (Catcher) - LA brought in Iannetta in the hope that he is going to be able to supply a boost on offense from the catcher spot. Iannetta hit 14 HRs with 55 RBI in 112 games with the Colorado Rockies last season, but his .238 batting average was not anything too great. The primary issue here is whether his power stats will carry over now that he is not playing the majority of his contests at Coors Field.
Albert Pujols (First Base) - LA is hoping that signing Pujols will get the franchise back on track in 2012. The former National League MVP batted .299 with 37 HRs and 99 RBI in 2011. Although those stats would be huge for other hitters, he hadn't ended a season with fewer than 100 RBI or an average below .312 in his first 10 years.
Howard Kendrick (2nd Base) - Kendrick actually came on robust in 2010. The 28-year-old veteran hit .285 with 18 home runs and 63 RBI, while also swiping 14 bases. The hope is that he will continue to boost in 2012, particularly now that he is hitting in the 2-hole before Pujols.
Erick Aybar (Shortstop) - Another hitter who is coming off a career year is Erick Aybar. The Angels ' leadoff man batted .279 with a career-high 71 runs, 10 HRs, 59 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 2011. Also he is another guy who should benefit from Pujols hitting behind him, as he has amazing potential to continue to grow as a power guy. Before last season, he only had 14 career HRs.
Alberto Callaspo (Third Base) - Callaspo played a respectable game last season. Nevertheless although he hit .285, he just has not got the power or speed to make a big impact offensively.
Vernon Wells (Left Field) - In his first year with LA, Wells was a massive disgruntlement. After batting .273 with 31 HRs and 88 RBI with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010, Wells batted just .218 with 25 HRs and 66 RBI in 131 games. He will be able to still give LA 20-plus HRs, but it is highly unlikely that he will be able to resuscitate his career in 2012.
Peter Bourjos (Center Field) - The 24-year-old Bourjos is among the promising young players in Los Angeles. He hit .271 with 12 home runs, 43 RBI and 22 steals last year. When you add the undeniable fact that he plays Gold Glove-caliber defense, this fellow has the potential to do good things for the Angels.
Torii Hunter (Right Field) - The 36-year-old veteran hit 23 home runs with 82 RBI in 2011, but his .262 average and 125 strikeouts are solid indicators that he's on the decline. The Angels are hoping, though, that he still has something left in the tank.
Kendrys Morales (Designated Hitter) -Morales hasn't played a single game since severely wounding his ankle in 2010. Back in 2009, though, the guy batted .303 with 34 HRs and 108 RBI. It's hard to say what to expect at that point, but , luckily for the franchise, it's got a pretty good safety-net in Mark Trumbo, who lead the franchise in home runs with 29 and RBI with 87 as a newbie last year.
Projected Lineup
Chris Iannetta (Catcher) - LA brought in Iannetta in the hope that he is going to be able to supply a boost on offense from the catcher spot. Iannetta hit 14 HRs with 55 RBI in 112 games with the Colorado Rockies last season, but his .238 batting average was not anything too great. The primary issue here is whether his power stats will carry over now that he is not playing the majority of his contests at Coors Field.
Albert Pujols (First Base) - LA is hoping that signing Pujols will get the franchise back on track in 2012. The former National League MVP batted .299 with 37 HRs and 99 RBI in 2011. Although those stats would be huge for other hitters, he hadn't ended a season with fewer than 100 RBI or an average below .312 in his first 10 years.
Howard Kendrick (2nd Base) - Kendrick actually came on robust in 2010. The 28-year-old veteran hit .285 with 18 home runs and 63 RBI, while also swiping 14 bases. The hope is that he will continue to boost in 2012, particularly now that he is hitting in the 2-hole before Pujols.
Erick Aybar (Shortstop) - Another hitter who is coming off a career year is Erick Aybar. The Angels ' leadoff man batted .279 with a career-high 71 runs, 10 HRs, 59 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 2011. Also he is another guy who should benefit from Pujols hitting behind him, as he has amazing potential to continue to grow as a power guy. Before last season, he only had 14 career HRs.
Alberto Callaspo (Third Base) - Callaspo played a respectable game last season. Nevertheless although he hit .285, he just has not got the power or speed to make a big impact offensively.
Vernon Wells (Left Field) - In his first year with LA, Wells was a massive disgruntlement. After batting .273 with 31 HRs and 88 RBI with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010, Wells batted just .218 with 25 HRs and 66 RBI in 131 games. He will be able to still give LA 20-plus HRs, but it is highly unlikely that he will be able to resuscitate his career in 2012.
Peter Bourjos (Center Field) - The 24-year-old Bourjos is among the promising young players in Los Angeles. He hit .271 with 12 home runs, 43 RBI and 22 steals last year. When you add the undeniable fact that he plays Gold Glove-caliber defense, this fellow has the potential to do good things for the Angels.
Torii Hunter (Right Field) - The 36-year-old veteran hit 23 home runs with 82 RBI in 2011, but his .262 average and 125 strikeouts are solid indicators that he's on the decline. The Angels are hoping, though, that he still has something left in the tank.
Kendrys Morales (Designated Hitter) -Morales hasn't played a single game since severely wounding his ankle in 2010. Back in 2009, though, the guy batted .303 with 34 HRs and 108 RBI. It's hard to say what to expect at that point, but , luckily for the franchise, it's got a pretty good safety-net in Mark Trumbo, who lead the franchise in home runs with 29 and RBI with 87 as a newbie last year.
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