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 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.