Los Angeles Angels: The silver lining of Tommy La Stella’s injury

Los Angeles Angels breakout all-star Tommy La Stella will be out 8-10 weeks with a fractured tibia, although there is one silver lining of the injury.

Nothing is ever positive about someone getting injured, we just want to preface that about Los Angeles Angels infielder, Tommy La Stella. La Stella suffered a fractured tibia on Tuesday and will be out 8-10 weeks as a result.

However, in these injuries there can be silver linings that give just a glimmer of hope. Angel fans certainly want to see La Stella make a quick and healthy recovery, but what they will see in place of La Stella is also promising.

The Los Angeles Angels called up corner infield prospect Matt Thaiss after the La Stella injury. Thaiss is one of the Angels’ top prospects and fans of the big league club can finally see what Thaiss is capable of.

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Thaiss is someone that we have had in our radar and was even our proposed solution to Zack Cozart‘s terrible slump to start the year. It may have taken a bit longer than expected, but here he is, ready to make an impact.

Originally a catcher, the Angels shifted Thaiss to first base as his catching would not have translated to the big league level. However, with Justin Bour and Albert Pujols splitting time at first base, the Angels realized that they had to create a new path to the big leagues for Thaiss.

Thus, Thaiss has been working out at third base in the minor leagues and has actually played 47 games at the hot corner in AAA. He is not the best defensively, but he is sound enough to hold his own at the position.

Thaiss is hitting .274 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs in 79 AAA games this season. He does not go down often via strikeout, only striking out 17.2 percent of the time this season. He also has reached base 59 times via base on balls this year, more than any Angel not named Mike Trout this season.

Obviously, the big leagues are an entirely different story, but the Angels have someone that has a .390 OBP in AAA and has some pop in his swing. It would not be all that surprising to see Thaiss hold his own with the big league club and force the Angels to keep him on the roster once La Stella returns.

If the Angels can get another solid bat it will add to an already good offense, when healthy. Of course, Thaiss has to prove it first, but if he does it could easily bump Justin Bour back to Salt Lake City.

So while it sucks to see La Stella out, for the time being, enjoy watching Matt Thaiss. The Los Angeles Angels could have something special on their hands.