LA Angels: The 2022 Opening Day Dream Lineup for Anaheim

The LA Angels will have a talented lineup next year, no matter what happens this offseason.

Most of the moves that the Halos need to make are with their pitching staff. The lineup is already pretty set for the most part, and would have been pretty good this year if it weren’t for some of the most injuries in baseball.

If the Angels have leftover money to improve the lineup, however, they need to do it. All in all, the dream lineup for the Angels gives hope for what 2022 can bring.

Batting Leadoff: Brandon Marsh (Right Field)

The Angels want somebody who can steal bases hitting leadoff, and Brandon Marsh absolutely has the speed to be that guy. He didn’t steal a ton of bags in his first taste in the big leagues this year, but he was just getting his feet under him. Expect Joe Maddon to be sending him next year.

Batting Second: Shohei Ohtani (Designated Hitter)

Keep Shohei Ohtani where he’s most comfortable. Ohtani had so much success everywhere he hit in the lineup this year, but a high majority of his plate appearances were in that second hole. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

It’s also very useful to have someone with Ohtani’s wheels in one of the top two spots in the order.

Batting Third: Mike Trout (Center Field)

Mike Trout’s the franchise guy. Why not choose him to take the three hole? I know, Ohtani’s arguably the better hitter right now, but we don’t want to take his legs away from that second hole.

We need him getting on and getting over for Trout to come up to the plate. And no, Trout isn’t moving to right field. Keep the best player in baseball for the last decade in his natural position.

Batting Seventh: Jo Adell (Left Field)

Jo Adell needs to be up again this year, and he needs to start. He had 26 RBI in 35 games in 2021, proving what he can bring to the table at the Major League level. If we can get that out of our seventh hole hitter, we’re looking tremendous offensively.

Batting Eighth: Max Stassi (Catcher)

Max Stassi has become one of the better catchers in the American League. He was in the top five of defensive runs saved among catchers last year and is a great pitch framer. He was also in the top 12 of OPS among catchers with 300 or more plate appearances in 2021.

Stassi hasn’t even fulfilled his potential yet, and has the chance to be another impact player in this stacked lineup.

Batting Second Leadoff Man: David Fletcher (Second Base)

I like David Fletcher’s speed batting second leadoff here. Fletcher also is a guy who’s hit well over .300 before in his career, and actually was a .300 hitter for much of this past season. He slumped at the end of the year, and needs to be held accountable for that, but he’s got the talent to be a great option to set the table for Marsh and the top of the order.

This lineup is scary good. Every player in this lineup has All-Star potential. It also includes the two best players in baseball to go along with two of the top three 2021 fWAR leaders in the American League, as well as improved defense that’s needed.