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Los Angeles Angels: Who will meet offensive expectations and who won’t?

By Jason Reed

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 20: Justin Upton #8 of the Los Angeles Angels at bat against the Texas Rangers in the top of the third inning during game one of a doubleheader at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 20: Justin Upton #8 of the Los Angeles Angels at bat against the Texas Rangers in the top of the third inning during game one of a doubleheader at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Angels
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Angels /

Meets expectations:

Anthony Rendon:

Anthony Rendon is an interesting case as any time that the Los Angeles Angels add another offensive superstar that is not Mike Trout they seem to fail. Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, and someone before Trout’s time, Vernon Wells, are all examples of this.

Even lesser signings, such as Zack Cozart, who was an all-star in 2018, have fallen far short of expectations.

There is a legitimate case to be made that Rendon had the best season of his career in 2019, which is fine, the Angels do not need that. If the Halos can get someone who hits .290+ with around 25-30 home runs, 40 doubles and 100 RBIs, then they are going to be more than happy.

Rendon will accomplish that.

Tommy La Stella:

Tommy La Stella was an all-star for the first time in his career last season but did not get to play after fracturing his tibia. La Stella’s excellent first half has Angel fans excited for what is to come in 2020, which should be close to expectations.

I have some Angel fans in my life who might be expecting too much out of La Stella, as I am not certain another all-star nod is going to happen, but he absolutely could be a productive offensive piece that the Angels need.

If you look at his career numbers he has always been able to get base hits and get on base. He is a career .272 with a .345 on-base percentage and the Angels can expect at least that in 2020, which should be the expectation.

The one concern I would have with La Stella is he could maintain that pace for an entire year. Sure, his 2019 was impressive, but how often do we see players fall off in the second half after coming down from one hot month in the first half that raises the numbers? La Stella has a career .249 batting average in the second half.

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