2024 season: Eliminated on Sept. 11, last in AL West
Let’s take a look at the season that was for the 2024 Los Angeles Angels, the questions the team must address this winter and the early outlook for 2025.
Read more: 2024 MLB offseason previews: White Sox, Rockies and Marlins
Things that went right
Amid a disappointing season, a few young players provided hope for the Angels’ future. Shortstop Zach Neto made significant strides in his sophomore season, reaching the 20-20 plateau and getting on base at a solid rate. The 23-year-old also cemented his status as a reliable fielder at one of the most important defensive positions.
Logan O’Hoppe continued to be a dangerous power hitter and accomplished something important for a young catcher: proving that he can handle a heavy workload. Angels fans can rest easy knowing their team has a No. 1 catcher for several seasons. The play of Nolan Schanuel was also a bright spot, especially in the second half, when he flashed the on-base skills that prompted the Angels to select him in the first round of the 2023 MLB draft.
On the pitching side, Tyler Anderson enjoyed a bounce-back season, even though the advanced stats doubted him along the way. After being a productive reliever in his rookie year, José Soriano brought his elite fastball velocity to the rotation and showed that he can be a reliable starter. And Ben Joyce emerged as a weapon in the bullpen, regularly wowing fans with his eye-popping radar gun readings.
Things that went wrong
As has been the case in many recent seasons, the list of things that went wrong starts with the health of Mike Trout. The 33-year-old opened the season with 10 homers in 29 games before requiring surgery on a torn meniscus in his left knee. He appeared in just one rehab game in July before he was shut down again and sent for a second surgery. The 29 contests logged by Trout marked a career low, and he’ll finish 2024 having played in just 41% of Angels games across the past four seasons.
Once again this year, Anthony Rendon joined Trout as big-name Los Angeles veterans who continue to be plagued by injuries. The 34-year-old has played in less than half of the Angels’ games during each of his five seasons with the club. This season, he also logged career-worst numbers when in the lineup. Rendon has two years remaining on his seven-year contract that’s scheduled to pay…