2024 Los Angeles Angels Predictions with World Series Odds and Season Win Total Picks
Last season the Los Angeles Angels posted a 73-89 record and finished fourth in the AL West. That set a mark of nine consecutive seasons without making it to the playoffs. Poor Mike Trout. The Angels have been in shambles lately with multiple failed attempts at finding a long-term solution as the manager and they tremendously failed at their Shohei Ohtani experiment, never making the playoffs with the Japanese superstar and Trout.
In his 135 games played last season, Ohtani led the team in every major category. He slashed .304/.412/.654 while clubbing 44 homeruns and tallying 95 RBIs, 102 runs, 151 hits, and managed steal a team leading 20 bases all while going on to post a 6.0 WAR. Brandon Drury, Hunter Renfroe, and Luis Rengifo were the only other Angels players to appear in more than 100 games. Drury posted solid numbers as the second baseman finished second on the team with 26 homeruns, 83 RBIs, 127 hits, and 61 runs. Trout played in only 82 games but would manage to hit 18 homeruns and post a 2.9 WAR.
As for the pitching, outside of Ohtani, it was an ugly season for the Angels staff. Reid Detmers led the club with 148.2 innings pitched in which he went 4-10 with a 4.48 ERA. Behind him, Patrick Sandoval and Tyler Anderson both also eclipsed 140 innings, but went a combined 13-19 and posted an ERA of 4.77. Before his injury, Ohtani had a 3.14 ERA, and 12 quality starts with a rotation leading K/9 of 11.4. Carlos Estevez recorded 31 saves and posted a 3.90 ERA as the team’s closer.
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Los Angeles Angels Key Additions/Losses
There is no bigger loss in the history of sports than Shohei Ohtani departing for the cross-town rival Dodgers. Gio Urshela, Randal Grichuk, C.J. Cron, and Mike Moustakas all hit free agency with the club also declining the options of veterans Aaron Loup and Eduardo Escobar.
The Angels took a lot of fliers on relievers as they try to reshape the bullpen. The Angels signed Hunter Strickland, Drew Pomeranz, Carson Fulmer, Jose Cisnero, Robert Stephenson, Adam Kolarek, Zach Plesac, Adam Cimber, Luis Garcia, and Alan Rangel. The team would also add some solid offensive production by signing a slimmed Miguel Sano, Aaron Hicks, Jake Marisnick, Francisco Mejia, Hunter Dozier, and Ehire Adrianza. However, there was no better offseason addition than what the front office did to their coaching staff when they signed Ron Washington as the club’s new manager.
Los Angeles Angels Prospect Outlook
First baseman Nolan Schanuel is the team’s highest ranked prospect, and he should begin the season as the everyday first baseman. He is incredible at getting on base and could be a great table setter for a healthy Mike Trout. Joining him on the 40-man roster, 22-year-old Kyren Paris (5th) seems like he is just moments away from making the big-league team, though he struggled in his limited opportunity last season. Power righty Ben Joyce (7th), Jack Kochanowicz (9th), Victor Mederos (19th), Kelvin Caceres (24th), and Davis Daniel (30th) are all top pitching prospects who are on the teams 40-man roster.
Los Angeles Angels X-Factors
Young Talent- Catcher Logan O’Hoppe (24), Schanuel (22), Paris (22), shortstop Zach Neto (23), outfielders Jordyn Adams (24), Mickey Moniak (25), and Jo Adell (24) accompanied by Joyce (23) and Reid Detmers (24) from the pitching staff, all form a formidable core for the Angels to build around and all of the listed players will get a shot at being everyday players if they aren’t already.
Mike Trout and the Front Office- With all the young talent breaking through the big-league ranks paired with some offseason chatter, it may be time for the front office to consider the return on Mike Trout. Now this isn’t an imminent deal they are considering, and they did add plenty of veteran players to try and snag a wild card spot, but a trade is no longer impossible like it was two or three years ago. They play in one of, if not the best division in baseball and do not have the weapons to compete with the Rangers, Astros, and Mariners. It may not happen, but it may be smart if it did.
Los Angeles Angels Expectations
The Angels will come out of the gates trying for a spot in October, but that hope will quickly fade by the early summer months, and they will turn their attention to internal development and adding future capital. Including Trout, many of the team’s veterans will be floated around in the trade market as the Angels look to kick the can down the road and set their competitive window to 2026 and beyond.
Los Angeles Angels Notable Odds:
World Series Champions- +18000
Pennant Winners- +7000
Division Winners- +4500
AL MVP- Mike Trout- +2000
AL Rookie of the Year- Nolan Schanuel- +1800
Los Angeles Angels Predictions
Mike Trout gets traded along and the Angels shed further by shipping off Anthony Rendon, Brandon Drury, and some of their offseason acquisitions. After losing Ohtani, it may be best for the front office to rip the rest of the band-aid off and ship off their franchise cornerstone in hopes of acquiring two or three future big-league mainstays. The Angels won’t compete with the top three in the division, but they may be in a battle with the A’s for the worst team in the American League. The under 72.5 wins seems like a lock.
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