The LA Angels Need to Move Simmons To Leadoff

Andrelton Simmons has done nothing but contribute since he has joined the LA Angels. He has been the best defensive shortstop in the game, and has continuously improved his offensive game. Now, the Halos should let him loose at the plate.

Even after the LA Angels saw Simmons put up MVP-caliber numbers throughout the first half of 2017 (he finished eighth in voting), he remained in the bottom third of the lineup for most of the season. In 2018, Simmons has taken his game to an entirely new level, putting up career-highs in nearly every offensive statistic.

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So why keep him so low in the order?

Mike Trout, Justin Upton, and Albert Pujols are penciled in as the 2-4 hitters. When Shohei Ohtani hits, Simmons hits sixth. If he doesn’t, Simmons hits fifth. However, that still is not enough.

Andrelton Simmons should be leading off every game for the Los Angeles Angels.

Ian Kinsler and Zack Cozart are not good enough to lead off. Batting averages of .185 and .230, respectively, are just poor numbers for the two usual leadoff hitters for the Angels. Neither of them posses an on-base percentage above .300.

In a leadoff hitter, you want a player who gets on base any way possible while also running the bases well. Andrelton Simmons has a OBP of .399, higher than any Angels regular not named Mike Trout. Simmons also rarely strikes out, just another plus of his offensive game.

While he is not a huge threat on the base paths, Simmons runs well. Just watching him on defense shows everyone how mobile he is, and that translates to the bases. Overall, Simmons is the best option for the Angels’ leadoff batter going forward.

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The Halos have been slumping hard on offense recently, leading to a long week filled with low-scoring losses. Mike Scioscia needs to have his best hitters hit as often as possible. Right now, that means Simmons leading off every game he plays in, and letting Trout and Upton do the rest.