Los Angeles Angels: Four players who will improve the most in 2018

ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Left fielder Justin Upton (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Left fielder Justin Upton (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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Ian Kinsler

Not only has Ian Kinsler been one of the best second basemen of the last ten years, he has been one of the best players in all of baseball. Since 2008, Kinsler trails just Dustin Pedroia and Robinson Cano in FanGraphs WAR for second basemen. Overall, Kinsler has posted the ninth-best WAR for positioned players since 2008.

That is why his 2017 was so disappointing and surprising for a player that has been so consistent his entire career.

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Kinsler’s number fell, period. It was the first season since 2013 in which Kinsler played less than 150 games and it was full of career lows. His .236 batting average was the worst it has ever been, his 52 RBIs was his worst since 2010 (when he played just 103 games) and his on-base percentage was the worst since 2014.

Despite all of that, the power numbers were still there for Kinsler. He still slugged 22 home runs, the fourth most he has in his career. Overall, though, the production was at an all-time low for Kinsler.

That should change on the Los Angeles Angels, it has to, Kinsler has been far too consistent to post two terrible years in a row. At 35 years old he still has some gas in the tank. On the Angels, Kinsler is shifting from a depleted lineup to a lineup full of good bats.

That will only help the veteran second baseman. Again, the same effect on Calhoun will be had on Kinsler. With Mike Trout, Justin Upton, Zack Cozart and Shohei Ohtani all in the same lineup, pitchers have to pitch to Kinsler.

Next: Four bold predictions for the Angels in 2018

When they do, his batting average will creep back up towards .300 and his runs scored will likely be an all-time high.