What the potential LA Angels line-ups will look like against Lefties and Righties in 2020

The LA Angels have made some upgrades to their team this off-season and are hopefully getting healthy as well. Here are the Angels potential line-ups in 2020.

When the LA Angels signed third baseman Anthony Rendon to a seven-year deal last month it totally changed the complexion of the Angels line-up and created a couple of platoon situations. Let’s look at some of the potential line-ups the Angels can field provided everyone is healthy starting next season.

Optimal Line-Up vs. Left-Handed Pitchers

2B – David Fletcher

CF – Mike Trout

3B – Anthony Rendon

LF – Justin Upton

DH – Shohei Ohtani (when it doesn’t interfere with his pitching)

1B – Albert Pujols

SS – Andrelton Simmons

RF – Michael Hermosillo (later in season it will be Jo Adell)

C – Max Stassi (Until we acquire someone better)

Analysis – 

This line-up is solid until you reach the eighth spot as Michael Hermosillo is a crapshoot if he will even make the team. The Angels could also use a guy like Taylor Ward or even Luis Rengifo in right field as well as David Fletcher. If Fletcher is in right field you might see Rengifo at second base. These changes could make the line-up even more solid.

More from Halo Hangout

• New York Post columnist has LA Angels bringing veteran starter back to LA
• Dodgers make wild mistake signing failed LA Angels starter
• Why LA Angels’ Qualifying Offer to Raisel Iglesias could become historical
• Both Gold Glove finalists for LA Angels getting snubbed is a complete joke
• Marcus Stroman definitely appears to be interested in the LA Angels

As for the catcher’s spot as of right now Stassi is probably going to start against lefties unless the team acquires a right-handed hitting catcher.  Things could change very quickly if the Angels sign either Jason Castro or Robinson Chirinos as well. Adding Jo Adell to the mix would also change things dramatically, as would Taylor Ward or Jared Walsh making the roster.

As a whole this line-up has a lot of pop in it as well as having only one left-handed hitter (Ohtani) which would be different if it is a the day before, day of, or day after he pitches because he will not be allowed to be the DH in those games. The power is definitely there with Trout, Rendon, Upton, Ohtani, and Pujols. All five of these guys could hit 30 home runs. Fletcher leading off is good as well as he can get on base to set the table for the power bats.

Optimal line-up vs. right-handed pitchers 

2B – Tommy La Stella

CF – Mike Trout

DH – Shohei Ohtani

3B – Anthony Rendon

LF – Justin Upton

SS – Andrelton Simmons

1B – Jared Walsh/Matt Thaiss

RF – Brian Goodwin

C – Anthony Bemboom (until someone better is acquired).

Analysis – 

This line-up has some strength to it with Tommy La Stella leading off  with some pop.  Trout, Ohtani, then Rendon, Upton, and Pujols will hopefully come up big in this line-up as well. Again there is a lot of pop in the line-up.  You add La Stella if there is a righty pitching and that gives you a 6th man than can hit 20+ homers.

Here arre also a couple of wild-card line-ups if some surprises make the opening day roster.

Alternate Line-Up vs. Left-Handed pitchers

2B – Luis Rengifo

SS – Andrelton Simmons

CF – Mike Trout

3B – Anthony Rendon

DH – Justin Upton

1B – Albert Pujols

RF – David Fletcher

LF – Taylor Ward

C – Max Stassi

Analysis – 

This line-up has some interesting options batting Mike Trout in the #3 hole instead of 2nd.  Luis Rengifo with his speed leading off is also an interesting possibility and following him with a versatile hitter in Andrelton Simmons.  If Taylor Ward has a good Spring he could squeak out a roster spot as well and be someone you could plug in to give Upton a day off from the field. If no Ward on the roster then maybe Michael Hermosillo plays left or right and Fletcher plays the other corner-outfield spot.

Alternate line-up vs. Right-Handed pitchers

RF – Brian Goodwin

2B – Tommy La Stella

CF – Mike Trout

DH – Shohei Ohtani

3B – Anthony Rendon

LF – Justin Upton

SS – Andrelton Simmons

1B – Jared Walsh/Matt Thaiss

C – Anthony Bemboom

Analysis – 

This line-up could give the Angels five lefties out of the nine hitters in the line-up.  You could also switch out Upton here and give him a total day off and bump Simmons, Walsh/Thaiss up one spot and have Luis Rengifo play left field to give the line-up a 6th left-handed batter against some tough righties.  You still have a lot of power throughout the line-up other at the catcher’s spot. You would get a little less power if you switched out Upton in favor of Rengifo.

These line-ups are all hypothetical but you could see a few of them used on a regular basis.  Besides Jared Walsh and Taylor Ward being wild-cards to make the roster, the Angels could also acquire an every day catcher.  The final piece to the puzzle will be when Jo Adell is called up.  We will have to see how Joe Maddon will use him.  There are a lot of line-up options and that is not a bad thing.