In recent games, the Angel bats have just exploded! 10+ hits in the last 5 of 6 games! And, who can forget the 8-run 8th inning they had against the Twins? One of the Twins' pitchers had a 216 ERA in that inning. And it wasn't just a few Angels who were hitting, it was the WHOLE line-up.
Let's start with my favorite player: CASEY KOTCHMAN! God, this guy is sooooooo good! His defense is phenomenal; I definitely see a Gold Glove in his future.
He stops balls going down the line and/or in the gap, which often cuts a double or a triple to an out, and saves a run or two. He's excellent at picking bad throws out of the dirt. It takes the pressure to make a perfect throw off of the rest of the infield and more outs are made. This results in less errors all around. Now to his bat. He has so much power, and he's got great plate discipline, especially for a young player. He rarely strikes out and always puts the ball in play. I guess he's better against right-handed pitchers, but most batters do better against opposite handed pitchers anyway. 
Besides, he has gotten hits against southpaws, so he's not totally limited. I guess it's just better at times to give Robb Quinlan an AB given his success against southpaws. The only way to cool him off over the last month was to give concussion (*cough* Russell Martin *cough*). Kotchman was 0-17 since coming back from his one week recovery, and finally broke out of that slide with a 2-run jack to put the Halos ahead 3-2 in the series finale against Baltimore. That's a great way to get back in it. He has been the big bat that the Angels needed.
HOWIE KENDRICK: This guy is good. And, he'll only get better as his career progresses. He was set back by his injury earlier in the season, but I think he's starting to work out of it, and he's back on his way to the Kendrick we know (offensively). Towards the end of last season, I was disappointed to see Adam Kennedy leave, but Kendrick's defense is just as good as Kennedy, and his bat is arguably more productive. AK was more of a sentimental loss than a statistical one, seeing as he was a part of the Championship team, but Howie Kendrick's done a great job taking his place. I'm sure he'll soon become a favorite to many Angel fans, if he hasn't already. His smile and positive attitude is always infectious.
ORLANDO CABRERA: He should be the starting shortstop in this year's All-Star game, but it'll be hard for anyone to win that spot as long as Jeter's around and doing well. But, statistically, O.C. has been just as good, if not better, than Jeter so far this year. He's committed less errors and has been productive at the plate. Despite all the amazing stats, Cabrera didn't even make the A.L. roster as a reserve. I can't believe it! His defense is great: whether he's making a diving stop, turning the double play, making a game-saving play... he's just plain GOOD. Not to mention the fact that the guy is a doubles MACHINE! And, so sooooo great at coming through on hit-and-run plays! 
He's good at the plate and on the base path. He's got pretty good speed. And, I love how he runs with his gloves in his hands! I do that too! (Well, because he does it!) He's got a great personality, and I always enjoy watching his interviews, especially since he speaks English... Unlike some other players (*cough* Vladdy *cough*). He's a class-act and provides leadership for the Angels. I hope they hold on to him for the coming seasons. As Rex Hudler has said, the pine tar on "The Wizard of O.C.'s" helmet has been bubbling. It's such a shame that he didn't make the All-Star roster this year. =(
Up next, CHONE FIGGINS! I was at the Spring Training game that he broke his fingers, which cut his pre-season activities short, and kept him out of the line-up for the first month of the regular season. When he did come back, he had a very slow start, during which he committed most of the errors he currently has, and his batting average slid way below .200. Since then, however, he has turned things around, going from the bottom of the line-up to the top, and being one of the hottest hitters in June. Who can forget his 6-hit game (that included a walk-off triple)? He has been one of the sparks for the Angels' offense with his bat and on the base path. When ever he gets on base, he's a huge threat to the defense and has a tendency to distract the pitchers. Figgins isn't THE BEST 3rd baseman, but he hasn't been that bad in the hot corner. He has the ability to snag would-be-doubles going down the line and turn them into outs. 
Granted, he doesn't always make great throws (which accounts for most of his errors), but that's where Kotchman comes in to pick it. Also, let's not forget how versatile he is when it comes to position play. People may have doubted Figgins early in the season, myself included, but he has proven everyone wrong and has played a key role in the Angels' lineup so far this season.
Now, one of the men behind the plate: MIKE NAPOLI. This guy has got pop at the plate-- homerun power for sure! After all, he did go deep in his first major league at-bat. He's not always that consistent at the plate, but when he's hot, he's HOT! We can't forget the fact that he's practically a human backstop. He can get in front of the ball and block it to prevent runners from advancing. Granted, balls do take strange hops/bounces 
and it does skip away, but generally he's good. With a little more practice, he can improve on throwing out runners. He's not bad now, but there is room for improvement. One thing he's excellent at is blocking the plate. I think he took a page out of Scioscia's book in that department. He's very good at handling the pitching staff, and calling games. He's another great guy to have around. The only negative thing I've got on his is that he should shave more... =)This is a pretty long post, so I'll save the rest for a part 3! ...There's probably gonna be a part 4, too!
