Angels Showing Stellar Improvement In Important Category

One of the best stats to measure and evaluate offensive performance in MLB is OPS+.

It takes all the obvious benefits of OPS (on base percentage plus slugging) and adjusts it to a league-average context while accounting for external factors like ballparks.

A 100 OPS+ is league-average: anything higher is above-average, and anything lower is considered below-average.

Now that the information is out there, we can assess some of the biggest gainers and losers in OPS+ so far in the 2022 season.

The Los Angeles Angels, who are now legit playoff contenders and have a 24-16 record, have the most-improved offense by OPS+.

“Largest differences in team OPS+, 2022 (so far) vs. 2021: Angels +24 (94 to 118). Marlins +23 (81 to 104). Yankees +21 (100 to 121). Phillies +17 (96 to 113) … … … Red Sox -16 (105 to 89). Reds -17 (93 to 76). White Sox -21 (107 to 86). Athletics -24 (102 to 78),” Codify Baseball tweeted.

Largest differences in team OPS+, 2022 (so far) vs. 2021:

Angels +24 (94 to 118)
Marlins +23 (81 to 104)
Yankees +21 (100 to 121)
Phillies +17 (96 to 113)
…
…
…
Red Sox -16 (105 to 89)
Reds -17 (93 to 76)
White Sox -21 (107 to 86)
Athletics -24 (102 to 78)

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) May 19, 2022

The Angels went from being below-average (94) in 2021 to comfortably above-average this year, with 118.

The Organization Is Doing A Better Job With Player Development

Of course, a healthy season from Mike Trout helps, and the amazing Taylor Ward breakout doesn’t hurt, either.

The Angels have a sneaky-solid lineup foundation with Trout, Ward, Shohei Ohtani, Jared Walsh, Max Stassi, Anthony Rendon, and Brandon Marsh.

That’s seven productive hitters, and they have more useful pieces.

When analyzing the Angels, we tend to talk a lot about their pitching improvements, especially arms they brought in the offseason such as Noah Syndergaard, Aaron Loup, Michael Lorenzen, or Ryan Tepera.

But their offense has taken a step forward, and player development has had a role in the improvement.

Ward went from obscurity to stardom, Walsh developed nicely into a complementary piece, Marsh seems to be breaking out, and Trout, Ohtani, and Rendon are producing at a high level.

Oh, and the team has uber-prospect Jo Adell waiting in the wings, as well.

It’s a good time to be an Angels fan.