The Angels offense has been the worst in the American League. Only a third of the lineup is hitting as expected this year, and the other six batters range from somewhere below what’s expected to absolutely dismal. But the good news for the Angels is that their AA and AAA affiliates actually bring about some interesting options, which is ironic given that their minor league system (as far as prospects go) is considered bare in terms of bats. So who are the players that can help the Angels bust their slumps?
1. LF/2B/DH Grant Green (already promoted) – Green wasn’t given a shot at the 2B job in Spring Training, but that hasn’t really been an issue because Jonny Giavotella’s sort of getting the job done at 2B. It isn’t as if he’s an offensive powerhouse, but he’s at least made it so that that spot in the order isn’t a sinkhole either. Defensively he hasn’t bee completely horrible either. But with the scuffling offense, Grant Green can and should be an option the Angels explore somewhere in the lineup. He can fill in at every spot in the infield, but the majority of his playing time in AAA came in LF where he wasn’t bad. Green went 2-3 his first game, and with Matt Joyce and Collin Cowgill being incapable of making solid contact, Grant Green needs to be playing LF everyday for the Angels. He’ll provide a decent average and OBP as well as a few doubles from the bottom of the order in LF.
2. C Carlos Perez – Chris Iannetta hasn’t been anything short of dismal thus far in 2015. It’s likely he’ll pull out of the slump eventually, but that isn’t a given. Plus, of the defensive side of things, Iannetta has been completely incapable of controlling the run game and hasn’t been as exceptional behind the plate as they’ve needed. Enter Carlos Perez. Ironically, he was acquired in the deal that sent backup catcher Hank Conger to the Astros, in which Perez was seen as a potential backup catcher. The Angels acquired Butera and Perez was sent to AAA, where he’s hitting somewhere around .400 with his trademark contact and patience. He’s also added power to his resume in the hitter friendly environments of AAA. Another key component to his game, Perez is likely the best defensive catcher in the system. If the Angels were to promote Perez, it would signify a changing of the guard, because at this point, he’s better than Iannetta in every facet of the game. The Angels could even promote Perez and play him only until Iannetta finds his bearings at the plate in which case he could move into a backup role. Either way, it seems perez needs to be on the roster right now.
3. C Jett Bandy – The other half of the AAA catching tandem. Bandy closely resembles Iannetta in terms of patience at the plate and power. Bandy however, is a superior defensive catcher. He’s done nothing but hit in AAA after an impressive AA campaign and comes with excellent athleticism, which Scioscia used to site as the reason Jeff Mathis played so much. Bandy and Perez are the two best offensive and defensive catchers in the organization at this point, majors included and would make a formidable partnership at any level.
4. 3B Kyle Kubitza – David Freese is doing an alright job in Anaheim so far. He’s hit for power, the batting average hasn’t been completely awful and his defense has been adequate. This is what’s expected. Kubitza’s defense at 3B isn’t up to par yet but he has the natural skills that it could be eventually. His bat however is something worth being excited about. He’s hitting for average, gap power, gets on base on a consistent basis and is making more contact this year than many expected. The Angels could consider promoting Kubitza, who’s been the best hitter in AAA so far, to bat DH or even fill in at 3B or LF from time to time.
Chances are, we’ll probably see all four of these players with the major league team at some point this year. I’d simply argue that rolling them out earlier may help the on-the-field product of the Angels in 2015.
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