INFIELD
Second baseman Howie Kendrick and shortstop Erick Aybar are back for their ninth season playing across the bag from each other, the second-longest stretch of any active duo. (Philadelphia’s Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins have the longest run.) Both players are consistent producers who are likely to perform just about as they have throughout their careers.
The Angels’ hope for improvement is on the corners.
At first base, Albert Pujols starts the season healthy, after playing last season with knee and foot problems. In spring training he showed much better mobility, in the field and on the bases, which bodes well for his performance at the plate.
Third baseman David Freese had a down year in St. Louis, with a .721 OPS, but last year Angels third basemen combined for a .637 OPS, third-worst in the league. If Freese even approaches his .839 mark from 2012, the Angels will be significantly improved at that spot.
OUTFIELD
Center fielder Mike Trout is the best all-around player in the majors. Does that about cover it?
Over in left, Josh Hamilton has moved across the outfield and gained about 30 pounds, a couple of developments the Angels hope will lead to a better season than his disappointing Angels debut in 2013. Hamilton was opening eyes with his batting practice performances before a strained calf cost him half the spring training schedule. He crammed his entire spring into two weeks to be ready for opening day.
Right fielder Kole Calhoun gets his first shot to be an everyday player. He’ll also hit leadoff, an enviable spot in front of Trout, Pujols and Hamilton. Calhoun has shown a knack for getting on base, with some power.
CATCHER
Chris Iannetta and Hank Conger roughly split the catching duties in 2013, and it’s likely they will do so again this year.
Iannetta starts the season with a slight edge, probably because of his track record and strong spring, but it’s certain to be flexible enough that whoever is hotter will play.
BENCH
J.B. Shuck, a revelation when he played every day as Peter Bourjos battled multiple injuries in 2013, is a solid fourth outfielder. He has shown the ability to hit, even when playing sparingly, which makes him a good candidate for this spot.
John McDonald, a defensive specialist, won the primary backup infield job when Andrew Romine was traded to the Detroit Tigers last week.
As camp wound down, there was still much debate about how the Angels would fill the final spot, with Grant Green, Collin Cowgill and Ian Stewart in the mix.
STARTING ROTATION
Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson start the season as clearly the top 1-2 duo in the division, with Oakland (Jarrod Parker, A.J. Griffin), Texas (Derek Holland) and Seattle (Hisashi Iwakuma) losing pitchers because of injuries.
Despite Weaver’s well-chronicled loss of velocity over the past few years, he’s consistently put up good numbers befitting a top-of-the-rotation pitcher. Wilson has delivered everything the Angels could have asked in his two years.
After that, the Angels are counting heavily on Hector Santiago, Garrett Richards and Tyler Skaggs to perform. All three have the stuff to be No. 3 starters, but none has done it yet over a full season.
BULLPEN
Closer Ernesto Frieri has converted 90 percent of his saves over his two seasons, with a 3.14 ERA. He has an overpowering fastball, and if he can finally complement that with a changeup, he could take the next step.
Joe Smith has been one of baseball’s best setup men for the past four years in Cleveland. A side-arming right-hander, Smith brings a different look and a track record for consistency.
Once left-hander Sean Burnett gets back from the disabled list and joins right-handers Dane De La Rosa and Kevin Jepsen, the Angels will have a five-man corps they believe will be an improvement on 2013.
Right-handers Brandon Lyon and Fernando Salas and left-hander Nick Maronde were firmly in the running for the final spots.
MANAGEMENT
Despite speculation to the contrary, General Manager Jerry Dipoto and Manager Mike Scioscia kept their jobs after last season’s disappointment. There were rumors of conflict between them, but apparently after the season they talked things through and now have a better working relationship. This season will be the true test. If the Angels finish below expectations again, it’s possible this will be the last year for the duo.
Contact the writer: jlfletcher@ocregister.com
