First Half Surprises

The Angels have played 81 of their 162 games - exactly 50%. And they're on pace to finish with a record of 100-62.

The great first half has been a result of multiple players playing over their heads. I'm not sure who has been the biggest surprise (Cabrera, Willits, Haynes, Figgins, Kotchman, Matthews or Moseley) for the Angels this year, but here's my list of candidates.

Orlando Cabrera is on pace for 220 hits and a .342 batting average. He is also on pace to hit 48 doubles, 96 rbi and 106 runs scored. As we found out today, those are not All-Star worthy. Did I mention that he is on pace to commit just 8 errors at short stop this season?

Reggie Willits is still hitting above .330 and his on-base-percentage is at .430. He has stolen 18 bases and only been caught twice. If he finishes the season over .300 he might be the biggest surprise.

Nathan Haynes has been a big surprise. Not as a hitter, but as a hitting coach. Haynes gave Chone Figgins a tip and Figgy hasn't stopped hitting since. Haynes was called up on May 27th when Figgy was hitting .138. Figgins had 53 hits in June and is now hitting .324. If he had played the whole season, Figgins would be on the list of All-Star snubs.

Casey Kotchman is having a break out year. His glove has been outstanding and he is hitting over .300 with 9 home runs and 38 runs batted in. His .903 ops is 12th in the AL. If he can stay healthy, this is the Casey we can expect to see for years to come.

Gary Matthews Jr is doing what he was paid to do. The Matthews acquisition was labeled the worst off season move in baseball last winter by multiple people and now Bill Stoneman is getting the last laugh. Matthews isn't putting up All-Star numbers, but he is an excellent center fielder who is hitting .285 with 10 home runs and 12 stolen bases.

As for the pitching staff, Dustin Moseley has easily been the biggest surprise. He was acquired in the trade that sent Ramon Ortiz to the Reds a few years back. Moseley is 4-1 with a 2.36 era in 26 appearances.

So there are my choices, now here are my rankings.

5. Orlando Cabrera - Offensive outburst has been amazing. It's as if he's in his contract year.

4. Nathan Haynes - 10 years of minor league baseball, 8 surgeries and now he's hitting .300 (in limited at-bats) and handing out hitting tips. Amazing.

3. Dustin Moseley - He has provided all kinds of stability in the bullpen when Justin Speier went down.

2. Gary Matthews Jr. - I hate to say it, but I really thought he had the career year last year in a free agent year and that was it. I was wrong.

1. Reggie Willits - I keep waiting for a sustained slump and it never comes. He dipped to .317 on June 3rd but came out of to peak at .352 on June 23rd.