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Sizing up the Angels’ roster

Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella runs to first base during an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs on March 26.

Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella runs to first base during an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs on March 26.

(Chris Carlson / Associated Press)
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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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