Josh Hamilton In The Two Spot For The Los Angeles Angels?

The big question in the Los Angeles Angels’ lineup is who is going to hit two in the order. Who is going to be that bridge between Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. To me the best guy to do it would be Erick Aybar. Even though his OBP isn’t exactly ideal for it, he’s a good contact hitter. The idea that Buster Olney tweeted out earlier today, is that the team has thought about is possibly hitting Josh Hamilton second. To me, that’s a terrible idea.

Dec 15, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Newly signed Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton is introduced during a press conference at Downtown Disney. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The team paid Hamilton to be a run producer and help give Albert Pujols some protection in the lineup. Hamilton is a run producer. He’s not a guy who’s going to take pitches and let Trout steal second and move him along with a ground ball. He also strikes out way too much to be good in the two spot. Just for fun, let’s look at lineup with Hamilton second;

Trout

Hamilton

Pujols

Trumbo

Kendrick

Callaspo

Aybar

Ianetta

Bourjos

Howard Kendrick fifth in a lineup isn’t ideal. It’s not that Kendrick is a bad player, it’s just that the production falls off after 1-4. Now let’s take a look at a lineup with Hamilton four;