7 years agoLos Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons was at or near career highs in every offensive category last season, hitting .278 with 14 home runs and 19 stolen bases. This comes after a 2016 where, although he hit .281, he only had 28 extra-base hits in 124 games and was under five home runs for consecutive seasons. Simmons had 54 extra-base hits last season, better than his previous high of 50 in 2013, and his 19 stolen bases were also a career-high. Much of the improvement for Simmons began with his career-best 29.2% hard hit rate and 1.57 GB/FB rate, which was his best since 2013. He also had a fly ball rate of 31.5% (his best since 2013 as well) and the increase in hard hit balls saw Simmons' HR/FB rate jump to a career-best 8.4%. Another big difference for Simmons was in his pull rate, up to 45.3% from a career average of 40.6%. What you can see from analyzing Simmons' career is that when he pulls the ball, he is able to hit for more power, as the two seasons that he topped a 45% pull rate (47.3% in 2013 as well) were the only two where Simmons hit double digit home runs. Simmons may not top his 2017 stats this season, but the Angels do have a better offense in 2018 (with full seasons of Mike Trout and Justin Upton, and the addition of Shohei Ohtani), so Simmons could have opportunities for run production at the bottom of the lineup. Look at Simmons as a lower-tier SS1.--Chris Zolli