Los Angeles Angels Spring Training: Four fringe players for a roster spot
By Jason Reed
The grass is green again, the birds are chirping and baseball is almost upon us. With 40 active members of the roster, the Los Angeles Angels Spring Training well help provide some clarity of who will make the Opening Day roster.
Spring Training is almost here and it is such a wonderful thing. Over four months ago the Houston Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in game seven of the World Series, for 28 other teams, the offseason had already started. Now, with Spring Training just a few days away, the Los Angeles Angels and all 29 other teams are ready to chase a World Series title.
For the Angels, 2018 proves to be a promising year. The Angels were very active this offseason, signing the likes of Zack Cozart, Ian Kinsler and Rene Rivera. LA re-signed Justin Upton to a five-year deal and, most importantly, landed perhaps the most coveted Japanese crossover since Ichiro Suzuki; Shohei Ohtani.
Without a single playoff win under his belt, superstar Mike Trout now has a great core of guys around him that will allow the Angels to contend with the Astros in the American League West. Throw in the young pitching staff, that is going to be considerably healthier and the Angels could surprise many in 2018.
However, there are still decisions to be made about who is going to make the cut for Opening Day. The Angels Spring Training is going to help answer those questions. Here are four players on the fringe of a roster spot to watch out for this Spring.