TEMPE, Ariz. -- To spring up after a 75-87 season and eclipse AL West powers Seattle and Oakland, the Anaheim Angels will need more than great pitching, timely hitting, solid defense and a few breaks.

That's why two of Anaheim's lesser-known players -- shortstop David Eckstein and second baseman Adam Kennedy -- might hold the keys to the club's success.

Eckstein and Kennedy anchor the middle of the field and the leadoff and bottom positions in the batting order.

That means everything in the lineup and infield starts and ends with them. Fortunately for the Angels, they recognize the magnitude of this responsibility.

"We spend tons of time together, and we both realize that even though we're not the veterans of the team, we're counted on for quite a bit, being in the middle of the defense," Kennedy says.

"Offensively, we're real important, too, because we set the table for the 2-3-4-5-6 hitters. If they can hit with guys on base, we'll be successful."

Those hitters are center fielder Darin Erstad, right fielder Tim Salmon, left fielder Garret Anderson, third baseman Troy Glaus and designated hitter Brad Fullmer.

All have had 100-RBI seasons in their big-league careers, and all have had scrappy, cerebral players like Eckstein and Kennedy getting on base for them.

"We want to be surrounded by great players, and we're fortunate that we are," Eckstein says.

"If we go out and do what we're supposed to do, the big boys will take care of everything else." said Eckstein, the 27-year-old leadoff hitter, who had a fine rookie season in 2001.

He stands 5-foot-8 and only weighs 170 pounds, but he played 153 games, batted .285 with 166 hits, scored 82 runs, stole 29 bases, and had an on-base percentage of .355. He also got accustomed to the nuances of shortstop in the Major Leagues after spending much of his youth as a second baseman.

"Eck was huge last year for us," Salmon says. "He was the catalyst at the front of the lineup, and he played great defensively for us. He's kind of the prototypical leadoff guy. He works the count, takes pitches, gets on base, gets his hits. Everybody knows what he's capable of doing."

Including his manager, Mike Scioscia, who insists Eckstein is his man at shortstop despite critics who question his lateral movement and fielding range.

"Eck is the starting shortstop on what I consider a championship-level club, and that's how we're going into the season," Scioscia says.

Kennedy, 26, has come a long way since last September, when he was platooned with Benji Gil because he was struggling at the plate and in the field.

He finished the season with a .270 batting average, 6 home runs and 40 RBIs in 137 games.

This spring, he has led the Angels in hitting and looks much more polished defensively.

"I came in with the mindset to win a job," Kennedy says. "It's really all about confidence -- hitting like I know I can. It's also learning situations and pitchers over the years. All of those things combined. I think I've improved in all areas." Scioscia agrees.

"I'm very impressed with the way Adam has responded to the challenge," Scioscia says. "He's really stepped it up and has earned the job by playing well this spring."

Eckstein and Kennedy have opened eyes as a unit, too.

To improve their defense, they have been working diligently with Angels with former shortstop Alfredo Griffin, who won a Gold Glove in 1985 with the Oakland A's.

"When I'm receiving the ball, I need to get quicker," Eckstein says. "And then I need to get it to the right spot where Adam needs it, either leading him or getting it to the back side. And we've been working on trying to be more fluid through the base when I catch the ball."

Kennedy adds that the addition of Kevin Appier and Aaron Sele to an already solid starting pitching staff gives the infielders even more of a reason to put in the effort to get better.

"We're still trying to get comfortable in the positions, and tons of hours of work are starting to pay off," Kennedy says. "To be able to help out this pitching staff will be fun."

First baseman Scott Spiezio says he and the rest of the Angels have already noticed the transformation of their middle men. "Turning double plays is a key to winning, and they showed this spring that they're strong," Spiezio says. "They might not be your conventional pair up the middle, but they get the job done. They've worked hard to improve their range and get better and that's great to see. You can see a big difference."

Salmon agrees.

"They're young, and they're going to be learning along the way, but I don't see it as a lot of learning," Salmon says. "I think they're doing a really good job right now."

They're also doing a good job of blending with the many personalities in the clubhouse, which Spiezio says is just as important as succeeding on the field.

"They're both different, but they're both quiet," Spiezio says. "They're not going to cause a lot of commotion. They're not going to make any of the veterans mad, and I think that's a good thing, because some of the young guys are real cocky and they kind of tick the veterans off. These guys won't do that. They're very likeable and knowledgeable guys."