Angels projected roster

Pedro Moura sizes up the 25-man roster the Angels are expected to field on opening day:

STARTERS

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

6; Yunel Escobar; 3B; R/R; 33; Off-season acquisition from Washington; the converted shortstop’s defense is a question but he has hit well.

25; Daniel Nava; LF; S/L; 33; The late bloomer was hampered by a hand injury last season but was in prime form during spring training.

27; Mike Trout; CF; R/R; 24; Baseball’s best player over the last four years says he wants to get back to stealing bases.

5; Albert Pujols; DH; R/R; 36; Hit 40 home runs last season but didn’t do much else particularly well.

56; Kole Calhoun; RF; L/L; 28; Top-flight defender brings power to a new place in the batting order. His strikeouts shot up in September.

24; C.J. Cron; 1B; R/R; 26; He hammers fastballs but must be better defensively this season because the Angels are counting on him to play more.

2; Andrelton Simmons; SS; R/R; 26; Arm fatigue prevented the slick-fielding Simmons from suiting up for much of the spring, but he is now fit to start.

58; Carlos Perez; C; R/R; 25; A competent receiver, he must be more patient as a hitter. He drew two walks in his first 33 big league games and has little power.

12; Johnny Giavotella; 2B; R/R; 28; His performance in clutch situations last season made him a fan favorite. Will it continue?

PITCHERS

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

43; Garrett Richards; SP; R/R; 27; The closest thing the Angels have to an ace, he’ll need to be a reasonable facsimile for them to have success.

28; Andrew Heaney; SP; L/L; 24; Was impressive during a solid rookie season, with a comfortable, repeatable delivery.

36; Jered Weaver; SP; R/R; 33; Veteran is slowing down — literally. His fastball velocity is in steady decline and rarely surpassed 80 mph this spring.

53; Hector Santiago; SP; R/L; 28; Flashed All-Star form during the first half last season, but regressed thereafter.

52; Matt Shoemaker; SP; R/R; 29; After a breakout 2014, Shoemaker struggled to limit home runs last season. The trend continued this spring.

35; Nick Tropeano; SP; R/R; 25; A longshot to win a rotation spot before the spring, he throws at maximum effort but has a vexing changeup.

16; Huston Street; RP; R/R; 32; Dependable closer isn’t overpowering but could become the sixth pitcher to amass 400 saves. He has 315.

36; Joe Smith; RP; R/R; 32; Experienced a bit of a drop-off in 2016, but is expected to return to form in this, his contract year.

64; Mike Morin; RP; R/R; 25; Failed to limit enough inherited runners from scoring last season but could be ready for a breakout.

59; Fernando Salas; RP; R/R; 30; Had 74 strikeouts,12 walks and gave up less than a hit per inning in 63 2/3 frames, yet his ERA was 4.24.

48; Jose Alvarez; RP; L/L; 26; The only left-hander the Angels have in the bullpen does not consistently get left-handed hitters out.

62; Al Alburquerque; RP; R/R; 29; The hardest-throwing member of the bullpen is also the wildest.

36; Cory Rasmus; RP; R/R; 28; Had a strong spring training after battling injuries for most of 2015.

68; Cam Bedrosian; RP; R/R; 24; Shuttled between triple A and the Angels the last two seasons and may do it again.

RESERVES

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

18; Geovany Soto; C; R/R; 33; Figures to share playing time with Perez. He strikes out often but also walks and offers power.

7; Cliff Pennington; INF; S/R; 31; Proven to be versatile and capable, things the Angels haven’t been able to say about a reserve infielder in a while.

3; Craig Gentry; OF; R/R; 33; Expected to be Nava’s platoon partner in left field, facing left-handed starters.

51; Ji-Man Choi; 1B; L/R; 23; A Rule 5 selection, Choi must stay with the team all season or be offered back to Baltimore.

39; Rafael Ortega; OF; L/R; 24; Has the strongest throwing arm among outfielders and might be the Angels’ fastest player.

32; Todd Cunningham; OF; S/R; 27; Nursed a wrist injury for most of the spring, but he still hit well — and is out of options.

PROJECTED DISABLED LIST: LHP C.J. Wilson, LHP Tyler Skaggs.