Second base, No. 5 spot in rotation up for grabs
Hamilton, Richards may start '15 on DL
ANAHEIM -- There's only so much we can know before Spring Training even starts. So much is left up to presumption this time of year, and for the 2015 Angels, that's especially true.
There's a decent chance both outfielder Josh Hamilton (surgery in his right AC joint) and right-hander Garrett Richards (recovery from a ruptured left patellar tendon) start the season on the disabled list, with the Angels hopeful they'll both return before the end of April.
Second base is up for grabs, with Josh Rutledge, Johnny Giavotella, Grant Green and Taylor Featherston fighting for playing time at the keystone and as the utility infielder.
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The fifth spot of the rotation is another open competition, pitting Andrew Heaney, Nick Tropeano and Hector Santiago against one another, with the latter heading to the bullpen if he doesn't win the job.
Then there's this: Angels manager Mike Scioscia is expected to give lots of consideration to the idea of moving Mike Trout into the prominent No. 3 spot on a full-time basis, but that may only be possible if Hamilton is healthy and productive.
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Below is a look at what the lineup, the rotation and the bullpen could look like at full health.
2014 record
98-64, 1st in the AL West
Projected batting order
1. RF Kole Calhoun:
.272 BA, .325 OBP, .450 SLG, 17 HR, 90 R in 2014
2. DH Matt Joyce:
.254 BA, .349 OBP, .383 SLG, 9 HR, 52 RBIs in 2014
3. CF Trout:
.287 BA, .377 OBP, .561 SLG, 36 HR, 111 RBIs in 2014
4. 1B Albert Pujols :
.272 BA, .324 OBP, .466 SLG, 28 HR, 105 RBIs in 2014
5. LF Hamilton:
.263 BA, .331 OBP, .414 SLG, 10 HR, 89 G in 2014
6. 3B David Freese:
.260 BA, .321 OBP, .383 SLG, 10 HR, 55 RBIs in 2014
7. SS Erick Aybar:
.278 BA, .321 OBP, .379 SLG, 68 RBIs, 16 SB in 2014
8. 2B Rutledge:
.269 BA, .323 OBP, .405 SLG, 4 HR, 105 G in 2014
9. C Chris Iannetta:
.252 BA, .373 OBP, .392 SLG, 43 RBIs, 54 BB in 2014
Projected rotation
1.RH Jered Weaver: 18-9, 3.59 ERA in 2014
2. RH Richards: 13-4, 2.61 ERA
3. LH C.J. Wilson: 13-10, 4.51 ERA
4. RH Matt Shoemaker: 16-4, 3.04 ERA
5. LH Heaney: 5.83 ERA, 29 1/3 IP
Projected bullpen
Closer: Huston Street: 41/44 saves, 1.37 ERA in 2014
RH setup man: Joe Smith: 1.81 ERA, 0.80 WHIP
LH setup man: Santiago: 3.75 ERA, 1.36 WHIP