Angels News: MLB Columnist Lists Three Halos Who Should Be All-Stars in 2023
It's safe to say that the Los Angeles Angels should not be satisfied with any of their success is just yet. Like team manager Phil Nevin said a coupe of days ago, the winning streak is nice right now but all of this can go south at any moment just like it did for them in 2022.
But from a fan perspective, there is not much more that one could have realistically asked for. It's clear that Shohei Ohtani is well on his way to being at the top of the AL MVP conversations for a third straight season and once he finds his rhythm on the mound again, he'll be back in the Cy Young ones as well. Mike Trout has actually been able to rest this year due to Mickey Moniak holding down the outfield and the rest of the batting lineup garnering offense.
When the stars are happy, everybody else should be happy. Trout made it clear before the season that he was tired of missing the playoffs and well, Ohtani's future in Anaheim basically rides on whether or not they make it there. However, on a more positive note, the All-Star game is coming up hot and with LA sitting at 38-32 on the year thus far, they should have some nice representation there.
A columnist from Clutch Points has pinpointed three likely candidates to head over to Seattle for the big name and the first two are fairly obvious.
However, it is Carlos Estevez in that third spot and he continues to showcase this year why he should receive the call. It is his first season as the Halos' closer and he is thriving.
"Estevez has posted a 1.50 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 30 innings. He's been perfect in save opportunities, closing out 18 games in 18 chances. Only Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has more saves. Clase also has four losses on his resume and an ERA that's nearly twice as high as Estevez's ERA. Estevez is 15th in WAR, a remarkable ranking for a relief pitcher who only throws one inning per appearance. Baltimore pitcher Yennier Cano is the only AL reliever who ranks ahead of Estevez. Anchoring the league's fourth-best bullpen, Estevez is one of the biggest reasons why the Angels have a chance to end their playoff drought."
(Via Clutch Points)
Let's see how the voting turns out!
