$Predicting The Los Angeles Angels\' 2016 Opening Day Lineup$

Predicting The Los Angeles Angels' 2016 Opening Day Lineup

By Brad Faber

In 2014, the Los Angeles Angels won the AL West and posted the best record in MLB (98-64). Last season, however, they finished behind the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers with a record of 85-77. Heading into the upcoming season, the Angels should certainly have the pieces to rise back to the top of their division, but one can expect it to be a tight race once again. Here is a spring training prediction of how Mike Scioscia‘s lineup might look when his club takes on the Chicago Cubs and reigning NL Cy Young award winner Jake Arrieta on opening day.

$Predicting The Los Angeles Angels\' 2016 Opening Day Lineup$

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1. Yunel Escobar, 3B — Acquired in an offseason trade with the Washington Nationals, Yunel Escobar is coming off of a season in which he slashed an excellent .314/.375/.415 with nine home runs and 56 RBIs. In his career as a leadoff man, he has hit .290/.356/.412 across 1,115 plate appearances.

2. Daniel Nava, LF — Although he hit only .194/.315/.245 across 60 games with the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays last year, Daniel Nava is having a great spring and may be primed for a bounce-back campaign. The 33-year-old Nava had his best season back in 2013, hitting .303/.385/.445 for the Red Sox. If he can do that again, he would be a great No. 2 hitter.

3. Mike Trout, CF — Still only 24 years of age, it is truly remarkable what Mike Trout has already been able to accomplish since first coming to the big leagues back in 2011. Trout is coming off of a season in which he hit .299/.402/.590 with a career-high 41 homers and should be a great fit in the No. 3 spot.

4. Albert Pujols, DH — Despite posting career lows in batting average (.244) and OBP (.307) last year, Albert Pujols still had a nice season, hitting 40 homers and driving in 95 runs. While he may not be quite the same guy he was with the St. Louis Cardinals, the 36-year-old Pujols is still a very productive middle-of-the-order bat. He is, however, coming off of foot surgery, so it wouldn't be too big of a surprise to see him in the DH spot at the start of the season.

5. Kole Calhoun, RF — Through a career-high 159 games last year, Kole Calhoun hit .256/.308/.422 with 26 homers and 83 RBIs. He should provide sufficient protection for Pujols in the No. 5 spot.

6. C.J. Cron, 1B — Over the past two seasons, C.J. Cron has hit a combined .260/.296/.444 with 27 homers across 192 games. The 26-year-old Cron has plenty of power potential and gives the Halos another solid bat to plug into their lineup.

7. Carlos Perez, C — In his rookie season last year, Carlos Perez hit a respectable .250/.299/.346 with four homers, 21 RBIs and played great defense behind the plate. A career .280 hitter over his minor league career, Perez should give the Angels a very solid backstop going forward.

8. Andrelton Simmons, SS — Acquired in an offseason trade with the Atlanta Braves, Andrelton Simmons has built quite a reputation for his incredible defense, and he leads all position players in the game with 113 defensive runs saved over the past four seasons. Though not known as much for his offense, he did hit 17 homers for the Braves back in 2013.

9. Johnny Giavotella, 2B — Through 129 games last year, Johnny Giavotella hit a respectable .272/.318/.375 in a 1.1 fWAR campaign. He should be capable of doing a fine job at second base for the Halos in 2016.

Garrett Richards, P — Although Jered Weaver has been the Angels' opening day starter for six straight seasons, Garrett Richards is now the ace and should get the ball this time around. Richards is coming off of a season in which he went 15-12 with a 3.65 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP.

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Los Angeles Angels

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