2026 looks to be another year where the Angels get their wheels turning to some degree. Coming off a 90-loss season, minimal changes were made to the roster (despite a relatively healthy season). Mike Trout), it will take a lot of work for the Halos to be competitive this year.
One of the first decisions a team must make is who will play second base. Louis Renguifo Entered free agency and left a hole in the capstone. Rather than adding more obvious additional features like Gleyber Torres or Brandon RoweThe Angels decided to have a number of players competing for that spot this spring. A total of six delegate candidates still remain in the camp. Halos is certainly hoping one of its names can rise above the pack and do the job. But who is that person?
Christian Moore I was a top 10 draft pick and a top 100 prospect in the sport. He advanced to the major leagues last year after coming through the minor leagues in rapid fashion, typical of Halos prospects in recent years. It felt like I hit a wall after entering the big leagues. In 53 games as a major leaguer, he hit .198/.284/.370 with a wRC+ of 82. His first season in the major leagues was far from a disaster. This is especially true for a player who played last year at the age of 22. But a 33.7% strikeout rate means he’s not ready to put on a show just yet, and his difficult spring (.175/.233/.250 in 40 at-bats) certainly doesn’t help matters. Moore is undoubtedly a big part of the club’s plans, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the team decides he needs more time to develop in the minor leagues.
A change of direction from Moore would open the door to a lack of non-roster veterans and options in the 40-man roster bubble. Oswald Peraza and Vaughn Grissom You must be listed or assigned as an assignment to be exempt. Peraza is considered a player with better defense than Grissom, as he can play not only second base, but also hot corner and shortstop if necessary. Peraza hasn’t hit much in his career and is posting a putrid .164/.223/.250 line, while Grissom has been a below-average hitter in his career (82 wRC+) and failed to make the majors last season, posting middling numbers in Triple-A for the Red Sox. Additionally, Peraza is having a very strong camp, posting a slash line of .324/.378/.647 in 37 trips to the plate. Grissom is holding a .185/.333/.269 line over 33 plate appearances.
Peraza appears to be a real threat to make the roster, but the Angels would likely prefer to keep him in a utility role given his backup abilities. jack netto shortstop and Yoan Moncada At third base. If so, they could turn to a group of veterans not on the roster. Nick Madrigal, Adam Fraserand Chris Taylor All have a wealth of experience with the Keystones and are in camp on minor league contracts. But Taylor hasn’t hit at all over the last two years, and while he’s had a solid camp (.241/.389/.483 in 36 plate appearances), he may be better suited to a bench role given his trademark versatility.
Frazier is in a similar situation, having hit a stellar .353/.476/.412 in 10 spring games. He could be an interesting choice if the team is looking to add another left-handed bat to a lineup that is heavily right-handed, but he could also be tapped to serve as a left-handed bench bat with relative ease given his ability to play both second base and the outfield. Madrigal missed the season due to injury. The former top prospect can play decent defense at either second or third base. He’s a .274/.323/.344 (88 wRC+) hitter in the major leagues, but he brings a unique contact propensity to the table, as evidenced by his career strikeout rate of just 9.0%. In 23 spring plate appearances, he hit a solid .333/.391/.429.
One of the wild cards in the second baseman mix could be a veteran infielder. Haimer Candelario. Candelario has played an infield corner his entire career, with his professional career spanning just two innings in the Dominican Winter League five years ago. This would be an unorthodox choice for the 32-year-old to play second base. Especially considering that he hit just .113/.198/.213 (10 wRC+) in 80 plate appearances for the Reds last year. Despite these question marks, Candelario’s solid camp (.267/.353/.567 in 32 plate appearances) has seemingly impressed Angels brass enough to take a look at the position to see if he could make the roster. However, it’s yet to be seen whether the team will be confident enough in Candelario’s ability to handle second base that he can actually provide regular reps at the position.
How do MLBTR readers think the Angels will close out the second base run? Will they give Moore the keys to another extension right out the door? Or will he switch to other options like Peraza, Frazier or Madrigal? Will he be able to roll the dice on Candelario despite his lack of experience? Please take the survey below.
