Los Angeles Angels: Four bold predictions for the Angels in 2018

2. The rest of the Angels young pitching staff will thrive

While Shohei Ohtani may begin to flare out as the season goes along, the rest of the Angels pitching staff will finally find their stride in 2018. The Los Angeles Angels have one of the youngest and most promising staffs in baseball, yet a slew of injuries and back luck has prevented the staff from every reaching full potential.

The pitching staff will come very close to that full potential in 2018 and will be a surprising tool in the Angels arsenal. Not many are looking at the team as a pitching threat in 2018 but their pitching will indeed be the factor that carries the team when the offense is struggling.

The ace of this pitching staff (aside from Ohtani) is Garrett Richards. When on and healthy, Richards is easily one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. Richards’ 2014 and 2015 were great, however, his 2016 and 2017 were cut short. Richards has only started 12 games in that time frame. However, Richards looks to again be healthy heading into 2018.

Then there is Tyler Skaggs and Andrew Heaney, two guys with massive potential that just need to get rid of the injury bug. Again, the duo finally looks completely healthy heading into next season, ready to make an impact.

With other guys such as Matt Shoemaker and J.C. Ramirez, the Angels have a surprisingly deep pitching staff; if everyone remains healthy. That may be a lot to ask for out of the Angels, but tf they can stay healthy, the rest of the MLB better watch out.