LA Angels: The 2022 Opening Day Dream Lineup for Anaheim

Batting Cleanup: Marcus Semien (Shortstop)

In a dream Angels lineup, Marcus Semien is batting cleanup. Semien is the best free agent shortstop available right now, as he was third in the American League with a 6.6 fWAR. He’s improved very much on defense and has totaled 78 home runs in the last two 162-game seasons. We want him using that power in the fourth spot.

Batting Fifth: Anthony Rendon (Third Base)

It’s bounce-back season for Anthony Rendon next year, and he’s expected to be one of the top power hitters on the team. When Rendon is at his best, he’s going for extra-base hits. From 2017 to 2019 (the best stretch of his career), he hit .310 with a .556 slugging percentage and 129 doubles.

Batting Sixth: Jared Walsh (First Base)

Jared Walsh is coming off of his breakout second season, and gives this dream Angel lineup lots of power in a sixth hole that most teams won’t have a hitter as good as Walsh hitting in. In his first two seasons in this league (176 games), Walsh has clubbed 38 home runs and has slugged .531. A 2020 All-Star who would bat third or fourth on many teams would be batting sixth on what will be a loaded Angels Opening Day lineup.