Fanmail Friday #10 (On a Saturday) - Is .500 in Reach? Let’s Talk About It
June 21, 2025 - Written by Jesus Barrera
Photo Credit : @Angels - X
Welcome back to Fanmail Friday (Saturday). First and foremost, we know this series hasn’t been here since the start of the season and we apologize for that, but it’s back, and we plan on pumping some Fanmail Friday’s out over the next month between now and the Trade Deadline. If you weren’t here at the start of the season, Fanmail Friday is a series where fans can interact with us directly. A member of the Inside Halos team answers a set of questions submitted by our followers via Instagram or the Q&A Google Form. This week we have Jesus Barrera who will answering your submitted questions. Make sure you mark your calendars and submit your questions for us to be answered every Friday right here on InsideHalos.com! The MLB Draft and Deadline are coming up, so July should be a nice and busy month for the team!
Q: Are we winning the series vs. Houston & Boston & Washington? (@jerryisaiah) Q: What is our record after this homestand? (halos_only)
A: Per Statmuse, The Angels are a whopping 57 - 109 vs. the Houston Astros. This win loss record dates all the way back to June 20, 2015. It’s no secret they have played terrible baseball against Houston. Cy Young candidate Hunter Brown took the ball for Houston in the first game of the series and the Angels counter with Yusei Kikuchi. I am leaning towards the 1st place Astros taking 2 of 3 from the Halos over the weekend.
The Halos played tough vs. Boston in early June. If it wasn’t for a José Soriano clunker they would’ve swept the series at Fenway Park. On getaway day, the offense put up 4 runs in the 1st inning off old friend Lucas Giolito. José Soriano proceeded to give up 5 in the bottom half. Boston’s Cedanne Rafaela hit a walkoff 2-run homer that only traveled 308 ft, a true Pesky Pole special. I think the Angels can squeeze out another series win against a Red Sox team that has dealt with unwanted press of late.
The Nationals are a struggling ball club. If we avoid the known strikeout machine, MacKenzie Gore vs. the Nats, I think we can score the sweep. A 6-3 homestand will put the Angels at 42-41 to wrap up the month of June.
Q: .500 by the end of June? (@zachnetoworshipper9)
A: It’s obvious that I predicted the record at the end of June for the ball club in the previous question, but what I want to highlight is that this team is what it is so far. A .500 ball club or near .500 is a significant improvement from the dismal team that finished 63-99 last season. The 2025 Angels have just enough to get over the hump, but they currently don’t have what it takes to make that competitive leap as a winning ball club. Upside on both sides of the ball is simply limited. The All-Star Game and trade deadline are rapidly approaching. Nothing earth shattering should happen in Anaheim come deadline time. An 79-83, 80-82, or 81-81 record at the end of the 2025 regular season is attainable.
Q: We need Moncada back. We can’t have Kingery & Newman 2-3 times a week. (@colin_fredericks)
A: I agree 1000%. Both infielders are very limited into what they can do on the baseball diamond. 3rd base continues to be a troubled spot for Anaheim. Luis Rengifo has also seen time at the hot corner and up to this point he’s had an underwhelming campaign. Yoán Moncada unfortunately continues to battle injuries as he’s been on the IL twice. Moncada has only played 30 games for the Halos in 2025. Over those 30 games, the Cuban third baseman has compiled a 133 wRC+, .7 fWAR, hit 6 homers, and driven in 19 runs. Moncada has been productive when on the field. He’s definitely someone that I think the Angels should flip this summer. A reunion this offseason should be pursued, but the Angels need a concrete plan behind him due to his health history.
Q: What are the odds the front office decides to go all in? (@marcuso2227)
A: All in for a playoff push, don’t think so and I hope not. All in for a sale, I don’t think so either. Along with constant turnover the Angel FO has a pretty volatile track record, just like the team owner. They’ve fumbled big opportunities to improve at the deadline and have shelled out big contracts that have set them years back. I expect them to sell some pieces, but nothing major. However with Moreno leading the charge, who knows maybe another ill-fated attempt at a Wild Card berth is brewing..
Q: Do you think we’ll be buyers or sellers at the deadline? (@mason_ursey)
A: They should and I think they will definitely sell and continue to get younger. The pieces they have to flip aren’t big ones, but they could be solid role players and of interest for contending ball clubs. Selling off pieces with expiring contracts should be the number one goal. The candidates are Tyler Anderson, Luis Rengifo, Yoan Moncada, Kenley Jansen, and perhaps Hunter Strickland who’s been solid since his arrival. While all of those players hold value, I think the returns won’t be as great as we expect them to be. Both Taylor Ward and Jorge Soler should also be traded.
Q: Who do you think the Angels need to trade this deadline? Top 3 players to be traded? (hayden27_schwenker)
A: Kenley Jansen, Taylor Ward, and Tyler Anderson
Q: Biggest surprise/disappointment so far (@djheaven80) Q: How do we feel about Jorge Soler? (@tonygonzo277)
A: Reid Detmers has been on an absolute heater of late. He last allowed an earned run at Dodger Stadium on May 17. He faced early struggles, but his recent appearances out of the bullpen have displayed great stuff and improved pitchability. He’s also shown aggressiveness in the zone when facing hitters. That is something that I’ve always wanted out of Detmers due to his stuff. I do believe that he will eventually move back into the rotation. I hope that his work as a reliever follows him back into the rotation. If not, then you’ve already seen him relish in a high leverage role in the pen.
Jorge Soler was brought on board to simply slug. It is also well-known that he is a very streaky hitter and a defensive liability. He’s battled groin troubles and a back issue that recently landed him on the IL. Soler is slugging .350, has an OPS of .631, and has only hit 8 homers, only 2 more than youngster Kyren Paris who was demoted nearly a month ago. Not ideal.
Q: Who do you want to see us draft this year? (@charliebalsley)
A: This is a fascinating discussion that has been ongoing since the Angels landed the 2nd overall pick at the draft lottery. My heart wants prep pitcher Seth Hernandez or SS Eli Willits who is the son of former Angels OF, Reggie Willits. Hernandez’s build/profile is that of a true front of the rotation arm. Willits holds a great hit tool and is someone who will undoubtedly stick at SS. His great skill set can also carry him into CF. However the Angels have a desperate need at 3B. Their collegiate, fast track to the bigs approach points at Oregon State’s 3B, Aiva Arquette. If they want to let a prep player really marinate in their system, Ethan Holliday is destined for the hot corner. Give me the SoCal product in Seth Hernandez!
Thank you all so much for those who participated this week, if we didn’t get to your question or if you have any questions you want to submit to InsideHalos.com, please click the button below to submit your questions for next weeks Fanmail Friday! Thanks and see you next Friday for more!
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