Top #100 Angels: #34 Kole Calhoun

The Los Angeles/California/Anaheim Angels have played almost 60 seasons of baseball. As the baseball world is suspended due to circumstances outside its control, it is time to look back at the history of this organization. There have been many talented players to put on the uniform, and we at Crashing the Pearly Gates wish to highlight the best who have ever represented the Angels. Without further ado, here we go!

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The 2020 season will present many peculiar sights for Angels fans. Perhaps an underrated unusuality will be the absence of Kole Calhoun in right field. After establishing himself as a force in a full-time role in the middle of the 2013 season, Calhoun held onto the job and didn’t let go for more than a half-decade. Calhoun’s production and day-to-day energy helped him become a fan favorite in Anaheim.

Calhoun established himself as a top-20 position player via fWAR (15.6) in Angels franchise history prior to the club declining his club option for the 2020 season. Calhoun’s peak from 2014-2017 established himself not only as the best non-Trout Angels player but also one of the better right fielders in all of baseball. In that span, Calhoun ranked 23rd in fWAR among all qualified outfielders (12.2), thanks to his above-average production at the plate (109 wRC+) and superb defense (24.1 UZR). Calhoun wasn’t just productive as hell during this span but he was also super fun to watch in the process. Whether he was bashing 20-ish home runs a year, making superman-esque diving catches, or showing off his rocket arm, Calhoun was a treat to watch.

The decision to let Calhoun leave was a mutual decision that made sense for both sides but it will still be sad to see him playing elsewhere (Arizona) this season.