Infield battle heating up in Angels camp

February 20th, 2019

TEMPE, Ariz. -- One of the main position battles in Angels camp this spring involves two positions, as the organization is still not sure if Zack Cozart will open the season at second base or third base.

Cozart is a lock to be on the Opening Day roster at one of the two positions, but others competing for a starting spot in the infield include second baseman David Fletcher, third baseman Taylor Ward, second base prospect Luis Rengifo and veteran second baseman/third baseman Tommy La Stella.

The Angels could also decide to start Fletcher at third base if he wins the job, as he has experience at that position as well, which would mean Cozart would be at second base. So, there are a lot of moving parts in the position battle.

“I wouldn’t evaluate second base independently,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “I think we’re going to be evaluating second and third together."

Here’s a look at the four infielders competing for a starting role:

David Fletcher

2018 stats: .275/.316/.363 with one homer, 18 doubles, two triples in 80 games, 2.0 WAR.

Fletcher, 24, is the favorite to win the job after a solid rookie season, as advanced metrics painted him as a plus defender at both second and third base. He played 43 games at second and 33 at third, so he can handle either position. He can also fill in at shortstop and has been working in the outfield this spring. He brings more versatility than the other candidates but doesn't offer much power. But he can run, as his sprint speed rated above average last year, and he is roughly as fast as the Red Sox's Mookie Betts and a tick slower than Houston's Jose Altuve, per Statcast. He's a career .294/.345/.398 hitter in four seasons in the Minors and stole 20 bases in '17, but stole just three with the Angels last year.

Taylor Ward

2018 stats: .178/.245/.333 with six homers, three doubles and 15 RBIs in 40 games, 0.0 WAR.

Ward, who was a catcher for three seasons in the Minors before switching to third base last year, was also a rookie last season, but he didn’t have as much success as Fletcher. The 25-year-old was a first-round pick in the 2015 Draft and has had some success in the Minors, hitting .293/.388/.417 in four seasons. He's also athletic, stealing a combined 18 bases last year, including two with the Angels. His sprint speed is slightly higher than Fletcher's, per Statcast. Ward, though, is limited to third base, so if he wins the job, Cozart would play second.

Luis Rengifo

2018 stats: .299/.399/.452 with seven homers, 13 triples, 30 doubles in 127 games across three levels, including Triple-A

Rengifo, 21, had a breakout season in 2018 and is considered a fast-rising prospect because of his hit tool, speed and defensive ability. Rengifo is the best baserunner of the group, stealing 41 bases last year, but also was caught 16 times, so he'll have to improve his success rate. But he has surprising power for his 5-foot-10, 195-pound frame and can play second, short or third base. If he were to win the job, he'd start at second. Rengifo is likely to open the year at Triple-A Salt Lake, but he’s considered close to being Major League ready. He’s also put on roughly 15 pounds since last year in effort to improve his strength.

Tommy La Stella

2018 stats: .266/.340/.331 with one homer, eight doubles in 123 games, 0.1 WAR.

La Stella, who was acquired from the Cubs via trade this offseason, has five years of Major League experience, hitting .264/.345/.366 in 396 games with the Braves and Cubs. He can also play either second or third, but he has no experience at shortstop. He's been a solid bench option for the Cubs over the last four years, including leading the Majors in pinch-hits last year. La Stella, 30, is more likely to be a backup infielder for the Angels this season, but he will get a strong look in his first camp with the Angels.