Ranking Vladimir Guerrero and the best Angels’ hitters of all-time

Vladimir Guerrero has been immortalized in the MLB Hall of Fame. How does the Hall of Famer rank among the best Angels’ hitters of all-time?

Vladimir Guerrero was an implemental part of creating a proper stage for Central American baseball players. Guerrero was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame, becoming the third Dominican-born player to receive the honors. While Guerrero may have played the most games of his career with the Expos, he also becomes the first player to go into Cooperstown with an Angels hat.

Other legends such as Nolan Ryan have been inducted into the Hall. However, despite playing the most seasons of his career with the Angels, Ryan went in as a Ranger.

This instantly cements Guerrero as one of the best Angels’ players of all-time, despite only playing 846 games (19th most). While that ultimately may hold Guerrero back, he still goes down as one of the best to ever do it in the Big A. Thus, where does the slugging outfielder land among the best Angels to ever do swing it?

5. IF Bobby Grich

• .269 BA, 154 HR, 557 RBI, 601 R, 129 Off

If you are unfamiliar with Sabermetric baseball statistics, you likely are confused what the “off” statistic is. That is a statistic used by FanGraphs to, in short, measure a players total offensive value; it is not on a plate appearance basis like wRC+. Every year the league average is set at 0 and it rises or falls depending on the hitter’s value. There is a more detailed explanation here.

That is the basis in which we are ranking the best hitters of Angels’ history and it makes sense as it encompasses a hitter’s entire production. Grinch for example, averaged a 12.9 Off in his ten years with an Angel (considered to be right below above average). Thus, Grich is rewarded for his longevity.

As he should, Grich played 1222 games with the then California Angels, giving the fans some remarkable years in the process. He made four All-Star Games as a Halo, his best year coming in 1979. Grich slugged 30 home runs and drove in 101 RBIs to the tune of a .294 batting average. Overall, he ranks:

• Ninth in home runs
• Ninth in RBIs
• Seventh in runs

Grich would not have made this list if it was not for his longevity with the Angels. Although there arguably have been more talented hitters than Grich, statistically, he holds the edge and cracks the top five.