If Trout wasn’t an Angel, who would be going to the All-star game?
The Angels currently sit in last place in the AL West, and sport a dismal record of 36-50. So, it’s no surprise that Mike Trout is the lone representative for the Angels in the 2016 All -star game.
But what if Trout didn’t play for the Angels? At least one player from each MLB team must be selected to the mid-summer classic. Here’s a few Angels that might have made the team if it wasn’t for Trout.
Matt Shoemaker
Remember when Matt Shoemaker was sent down to the minors because of his poor pitching? Yeah, that’s long forgotten because of how great Shoemaker has been since being recalled.
Stats don’t do Shoemaker justice. He has a 4.40 ERA and a win-loss record of 3-9, but the ERA is high due to a poor April, and the high amount of losses can be attributed to lack of run support. Shoemaker has nine quality starts this season in 16 games started. In the month of June, Shoemaker boasted a 2.14 ERA, struck out 45 batters, while only waking 5.
If it wasn’t for a bad April, Shoemaker pitching for an underperforming Angels’ club and Ned Yost siding with more relievers than starters, Shoemaker might be there with Trout.
Cam Bedrosian
As mentioned above, Yost strongly favors relievers over starters. He chose to roll out with nine relievers and five starters. He managed to leave off one of the best MLB relievers this season, Cam Bedrosian.
Bedrosian continues to be the rock of the Angels’ bullpen. In 30 innings pitched, he has only allowed four earned runs all season and hasn’t allowed any earned runs since May 31. With an ERA of 1.20 and a strikeout per inning, Bedrosian sure makes a strong case as an All-star.
Yunel Escobar
The Angels acquired Escobar during the offseason to replace former third baseman David Freese. It’s panned out for the Angels. Escobar has provided the club with an All-star quality first half.
Escobar enters play on July 6 with the second highest average on the Angels (.321)and the 10th best in all of baseball. He’s filled the leadoff void the Angels needed, and he could be a great utility player for the AL.
Kole Calhoun
With Trout in center field, a lot of attention is taken away from right fielder Kole Calhoun. He isn’t the flashiest of players, but he gets the job done both with the bat and glove .
Calhoun currently sits in the top five of every Angels’ offensive statistical category. With a batting average of .285, and 45 RBIs along with the ability to hit anywhere in the lineup, Calhoun could possess a great bat off the bench for Ned Yost’s squad.