Sizing up the Angels’ roster

Times reporter Mike DiGiovanna sizes up the Angels’ projected 25-man roster for opening day:

No.; STARTERS; Pos; B/T; Age; Comment

56; Kole Calhoun; RF; L/L; 27; Third player in franchise history to log 30 doubles, 15 HRs batting leadoff, joining Brian Downing (1982) and Darin Erstad (1998, 2000).

27; Mike Trout; CF; R/R; 23; Unanimous choice for AL MVP could be even more productive if he cuts down on AL-leading 184 strikeouts.

5; Albert Pujols; 1B; R/R; 35; Three-time NL MVP surpassed 2,500-hit, 500-HR and 1,600-RBI marks in 2014 and has been in top form this spring.

20; Matt Joyce; LF; L/R; 30; Acquired from Tampa Bay. Has .261 average vs. RHPs, .189 vs. LHPs, but spring success against LHPs could earn him more at-bats.

6; David Freese; 3B; R/R; 31; Hit .203 last April and May and .281 thereafter. He said he feels rejuvenated after “redistributing” weight on 6-2, 220-pound frame.

2; Erick Aybar; SS; S/R; 30; Steady defender established career highs in hits (164), runs (77), RBIs (68), walks (36), games (156) and was All-Star in 2014.

24; C.J. Cron; DH; R/R; 25; Has prodigious power and showed better plate discipline this spring after striking out 61 times, drawing 10 walks in 242 at-bats last season.

17; Chris Iannetta; C; R/R; 31; Career on-base percentage of .357 is 121 points higher than career batting average. Has been working on pitch framing.

12; Johnny Giavotella; 2B; R/R; 27; Won job by batting .327 in 23 Cactus League games but is a career .238 hitter with a .277 on-base percentage in 125 games.

No.; ROTATION; B/T; Age; Comment

36; Jered Weaver; R/R; 32; Loss of fastball velocity in last four years hasn’t slowed durable and crafty ace, who ranks third in MLB with 131 wins since 2006.

33; C.J. Wilson; L/L; 34; Looks to rebound from worst season (13-10, 4.51 ERA) as a starter, in which high pitch counts, big innings often doomed him and Angels.

52; Matt Shoemaker; R/R; 28; Went 6-1 with 1.92 ERA in nine games vs. former All-Star starting pitchers in 2014; finished second in AL rookie-of-the-year voting.

53; Hector Santiago; R/L; 27; Rebounded from 0-7, 4.44-ERA start to go 6-2 with 3.32 ERA in 19 games from June 22 on. Five-pitch repertoire includes screwball.

No.; BULLPEN; B/T; Age; Comment

16; Huston Street; R/R; 31; Pinpoint control of 90-mph fastball, slider and changeup has helped two-time All-Star convert 66 of 70 save chances since May 14, 2013.

38; Joe Smith; R/R; 31; Sidearm-throwing setup man is 23-11 with 2.25 ERA in 271 2/3 innings over 289 appearances in last four seasons with Cleveland and Angels.

64; Mike Morin; R/R; 23; Fastball-changeup mix effective against right-handers, who hit .181 off him in 2014. Left-handed hitters batted .283.

59; Fernando Salas; R/R; 28; Went 5-0 with 3.38 ERA in 57 games in first season with Angels; did not allow an inherited runner to score after June 10.

63; Vinnie Pestano; R/R; 30; Former Cal State Fullerton standout had 0.93 ERA in 13 games with Angels last season.

37; Cesar Ramos; L/L; 30; Former Long Beach State star went 2-6 with a 3.70 ERA in career-high 82 2/3 innings for Tampa Bay in 2014. Made 10 starts in five years.

51; Drew Rucinski; R/R; 26; Angels like the way he pounded the strike zone this spring, when he went 2-1 with 2.60 ERA, striking out 16 in 17 1/3 innings.

58; Jose Alvarez; L/L; 25; Rebounded from elbow problems that sidelined him for much of 2014 with strong winter-ball season in Venezuela and sharp spring.

No.; RESERVES; Pos; B/T; Age; Comment

7; Collin Cowgill; OF; R/L; 28; Strong defender at all three outfield spots, excellent speed on bases; will play more prominent role with Josh Hamilton out.

3; Drew Butera; C; R/R; 31; Not much of a threat at the plate — he’s a career .183 hitter — but has one of baseball’s strongest throwing arms.

8; Taylor Featherston; INF; R/R; 25; Hasn’t played above double A, but versatile speedster is first Rule 5 pick Angels have carried on roster since Derrick Turnbow in 2000.

19; Efren Navarro; 1B/OF; L/L; 28; Contact hitter won last roster spot because of strong defense, especially at first base; improving as an outfielder.

Projected disabled list: RHP Garrett Richards, OF Josh Hamilton, RHP Cory Rasmus, LHP Tyler Skaggs.