Los Angeles Angels: Two keys for the lineup in 2020
The Los Angeles Angels go into the 2020 season with a revitalized offense that they hope can carry them into the postseason. There are plenty of hitters here capable of putting up good numbers, but two people set to be in the lineup could take this offense over the top.
The Los Angeles Angels finally got Mike Trout some help by adding third basemen Anthony Rendon to the middle of a lineup alongside Shohei Ohtani. All three of them are very capable of putting up big numbers for the Halos and should help give Trout some security from being constantly walked.
In addition to those two, the Angels also have good situational hitters in David Fletcher and Andrelton Simmons. Both of them can very well hit north of .285 and do a good job of getting on base for the big bats in the middle of the lineup.
Those five make up a good start to the offense, however, the first big key for the Angels lineup is going to be left fielder Justin Upton. After coming back from an injury last year, Upton struggled mightily, hitting a dismal .215. With his age, I don’t expect him to hit .300 with 40 home runs, but production out of him is going to be key for the Halos’ success.
More from LA Sports Hub
- Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
- LA Chargers: Week 8 against Denver Broncos is a must-win
- LA Rams: Jared Goff wants to keep the Los Angeles title streak going
- Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
- LA Chargers: Justin Herbert wins AFC Rookie of the Month
It would be huge for the offense this season if Upton could keep his average around .260 and muster 25-30 home runs. One of the biggest problems with the past offenses for L.A. is that once you get past the middle of the lineup, hits and RBI’s were very hard to come by. Keeping Upton productive now that he won’t have to hit in the four spot will be big.
The second key for the offense is going to be the young kid, Jo Adell. Now I don’t think that Adell will start the year in the bigs, but the popular opinion is that he will make his way up after a month or so. The hype around him has been enormous among Angel fans and if he can be productive, the lineup now becomes really scary.
Adell could see a lot of good pitches hitting behind guys like Trout and Rendon, which could help him hit the ground running in the bigs. If Adell and Upton can hit well, the Los Angeles Angels’ lineup now has seven hitters that are capable of getting on base and driving in runs, which is lightyears better than previous seasons.
Next. The trade market for top rotation arms this season. dark
With this lineup, other players like Albert Pujols, Tommy La Stella and Jason Castro don’t have to be crucial parts of the lineup. Whatever production you get from those guys is gravy, as long as the rest of the guys play up to their potential.