Angels pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training on Feb. 13. 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 infielders. Previously: Outfielders, catchers.
2023 RECAP
The Angels built their roster with enough extra players to get them through some injuries, but it wasn’t enough for what they endured. Third baseman Anthony Rendon, first baseman Jared Walsh, second baseman Brandon Drury, utility infielder Gio Urshela and shortstop Zach Neto (who began the season at Triple-A) all spent more than a month on the injured list. David Fletcher spent most of the season at Triple-A. The Angels were so thin that they had to make midseason deals for veterans Mike Moustakas and C.J. Cron. Amid all of that, Drury had the best season, slugging 26 home runs with an .803 OPS in 523 plate appearances. Luis Rengifo started slowly but sizzled through the summer, ending up with 16 homers and a .783 OPS in 445 plate appearances. Neto, who was just drafted nine months before his debut in April, finished with a .685 OPS, but he played spectacular defense. At the end of the season, the Angels got a look at first baseman Nolan Schanuel, who they had just drafted in July. He reached base safely in all 29 of his games on his way to a .402 on-base percentage.
HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW
The Angels moved on from Fletcher when he was traded in December and allowed Urshela, Moustakas and Cron to go as a free agents, while making no significant additions in the infield. Heading into spring training, the most likely alignment is Schanuel at first, Drury at second, Neto at shortstop and Rendon at third. Of course, the Angels need to prepare for the possibility of Rendon being injured again. He has missed most of the last three seasons with injuries, but the Angels are clearly a better team when he’s in the lineup. They need to get more in 2024 out of a player in the fifth…
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