Los Angeles Angels Strongest Ranking in MLB RIVALS. The guide includes a list of the strongest players for each position and batting orders for the Los Angeles Angels.
Table of Contents
*The strongest ranking in this article is composed of players other than HOF cards. If you obtain an HOF card, consider replacing the player in the corresponding position.
Strongest Player Quick Reference
Pitchers
| SP | RP | CP |
  N.Ryan’72 |  B.Joyce |  R.Iglesias’21 |
Ryan, who has a very high breaking ball rating, and two-way player Shohei Ohtani will be the main starting pitchers. Shohei Ohtani can also be included as a fielder as a two-way player, but if the years are different, they cannot be included at the same time, so if you prioritize pitching ability, it is better to prioritize the '22 version.
Fielders
| C | 1B | 2B |
 L.O’Hoppe |  W.Joyner’87 |  A.Kennedy |
| 3B | SS | LF |
 D.DeCinces’82 |  O.Cabrera |  D.Erstad’00 |
| CF | RF | DH |
 M.Trout’18 |  V.Guerrero’05 |  Shohei Ohtani’23 |
Trout, Guerrero, and Ohtani have high batting performance, so let's put them in the heart of the order. Shohei Ohtani '23 has high batting ability, but his pitching ability is strongest in the '22 version, so choose according to your preference.
Recommended Power Hitters
| Player | Power | H Zone | Launch Angle |
 Shohei Ohtani’23 | 78 | 9 | 13° |
 M.Trout’18 | 75 | 8 | 18° |
 V.Guerrero’04 | 74 | 8 | 16° |
The Angels have many power hitters such as Shohei Ohtani, Trout, and Guerrero. In addition to forming the core of the batting order, they can be particularly active in Ranking Slugger and RBI Battles.
Strongest Ranking (Pitchers)
| SP | RP | CP |
Starting Pitcher (SP)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
| N.Ryan’72 | - Very high breaking ball rating - All 3 pitch types - All pitch types are Rank B or higher |
 Shohei Ohtani’22 | - All ability scores exceed 70 - All 5 pitch types - 3 pitch types are Rank B or higher |
 J.Weaver’11 | - Velocity, stamina, and defense exceed 70 - Pitch speed is low at 52 - All 5 pitch types - All pitch types are Rank B or higher |
 J.Soriano’24 | - Very high pitch speed - All 5 pitch types - Has Rank A SNK |
 G.Canning’23 | - Relatively high pitch speed - All 5 pitch types - 2 pitch types are Rank B |
 P.Sandoval’22 | - Defense is high at 70 - All 5 pitch types - 3 pitch types are Rank B or higher |
Relief Pitcher (RP)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
| B.Joyce | - Pitch speed is among the highest - All 5 pitch types - 1 pitch type is Rank B |
 J.Soriano’23 | - Pitch speed is very high at 80 - Control and stamina are below 60 - All 4 pitch types - 2 pitch types are Rank B or higher |
 T.Percival’95 | - High breaking ball rating - All 3 pitch types - All pitch types are Rank B or higher |
 S.Shields’05 | - Average ability scores - Pitch speed is slightly low at 56 - All 4 pitch types - All pitch types are Rank B or higher |
 J.Anderson’18 | - High pitch speed - All 4 pitch types - 2 pitch types are Rank B |
Closing Pitcher (CP)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 R.Iglesias’21 | - High pitch speed/control - All 4 pitch types - All pitch types are Rank B |
 B.Harvey’91 | - Slightly high breaking ball/velocity/control - All 2 pitch types - Both pitch types are Rank B or higher |
Strongest Ranking (Fielders)
| C | 1B | 2B |
| 3B | SS | LF |
| CF | RF | DH |
*Due to player duplication, players with the same name may be selected for other positions.
Catcher (C)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
| L.O’Hoppe | - Very high defense - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 18° |
 M.Napoli’09 | - Average ability scores - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 16° |
 C.Iannetta’14 | - Average ability scores - 3 hot zones - 5 cold zones - Average launch angle is 16° |
First Baseman (1B)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
| W.Joyner’87 | - High batting eye - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 16° |
 J.Edmonds’97 | - All abilities are high level - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle 19° |
 S.Spiezio’02 | - Contact, batting eye, and defense exceed 70 - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is very high at 21° - Same name as 3B player |
Second Baseman (2B)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
| A.Kennedy | - All abilities are high level - 9 hot zones - Average launch angle is 16° |
 D.Fletcher’19 | - Overall high ability scores - Power and patience are below 60 - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 9° - Same name as 3B, SS player |
 L.Rengifo’23 | - Baserunning and defense exceed 70 - 5 hot zones - Average launch angle is 10° - Same name as 3B, SS player |
Third Baseman (3B)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 D.DeCinces’82 | - High batting performance - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 16° |
 T.Glaus’00 | - Very high slugging power - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 16° |
| D.Fletcher’19 | - Overall high ability scores - Power and patience are below 60 - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 9° - Same name as 2B, SS player |
Shortstop (SS)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
| O.Cabrera | - Very high hitting ability - 8 hot zones - Average launch angle is 17° |
| L.Rengifo’23 | - Baserunning and defense exceed 70 - 5 hot zones - Average launch angle is 10° - Same name as 3B player |
 Z.Neto’24 | - High defense - 5 hot zones - Average launch angle is 12° |
Left Fielder (LF)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
 D.Erstad’00 | - 9 hot zones - Contact and batting eye exceed 80 - Patience is slightly low at 58 - Average launch angle is slightly low at 8° - Same name as CF player |
 M.Trout’12 | - 9 hot zones - Overall high ability scores - Batting performance is particularly high - Average launch angle is low at 9° - Same name as CF player |
 D.Baylor’79 | - Batting eye is very high at 80 - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 16° |
Center Fielder (CF)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
| M.Trout’18 | - Ability scores other than batting eye exceed 70 - Patience is very high at 80 - 8 hot zones - Average launch angle is high at 18° - Same name as LF player |
| D.Erstad’00 | - 9 hot zones - Contact and batting eye exceed 80 - Patience is slightly low at 58 - Average launch angle is slightly low at 8° - Same name as LF player |
 A.Pearson’63 | - Batting eye is very high at 82 - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 12° |
Right Fielder (RF)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
| V.Guerrero’04 | - Very high batting performance - 8 hot zones - Average launch angle is 16° |
 A.Pearson’63 | - Very high hitting ability - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 12° |
 T.Salmon’97 | - High batting performance - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 19° |
Designated Hitter (DH)
| Player | Features |
|---|---|
| Shohei Ohtani’23 | - 9 hot zones - High batting performance - Average launch angle is 13° |
Positions to Strengthen with FA Contracts
Strengthen Catchers and Relief Pitchers
The Angels have low-performance catchers, so it's recommended to prioritize strengthening them with FA cards. The pitching staff has a thin layer of relief pitchers, so if you have strong RPs from other teams, consider making them FA cards.
Recommended Players for FA Trade
Catcher (C)
| Player | Team/Features |
|---|---|
 J.Mauer’09 | Minnesota Twins - Very high hitting ability - 9 hot zones - Average launch angle is 5° |
 J.Kendall’00 | Pittsburgh Pirates - Very high hitting ability - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 5° |
 J.Torre’66 | Atlanta Braves - Very high batted ball performance - 7 hot zones - Average launch angle is 13° |
Relief Pitcher (RP)
| Player | Team/Features |
|---|---|
 J.Hader’18 | Milwaukee Brewers - Breaking ball rating is top class at 82 - All 4 pitch types - 2 pitch types are Rank B or higher |
 J.Duran’22 | Minnesota Twins - Pitch speed is top class at 88 - All 4 pitch types - 3 pitch types are Rank B |
 R.Suarez’21 | Philadelphia Phillies - Velocity is high at 73 - All 4 pitch types - All pitch types are Rank B or higher |
Angels' Characteristics
Angels Have Many Fielders with Wide Hot Zones
Many Angels fielders have wide hot zones. Wide hot zones make it easier for batted balls to travel farther, making it easier to aim for home runs. Also, since many players have high average launch angles, they can also be successful in content like Ranking Slugger.
Shohei Ohtani Can Be Rostered as Both Pitcher and Fielder
Shohei Ohtani is a 'two-way' player who can be rostered as one pitcher and one fielder. His abilities are excellent in both pitching and hitting, so his rostering priority is very high. However, when rostering two two-way players, their years must match. For example, Shohei Ohtani '23 and Shohei Ohtani '22 cannot be rostered in the lineup at the same time.
SP Ability Scores and Deck Scores are Excellent
Many Angels starting pitchers have high ability scores. Also, since there are many high-rarity players, it's a characteristic that makes it easy to add Special Deck Scores. Furthermore, the fact that there are no Special cards and that R. Detmers '24, who can add 30 to the Team Deck Score, can be rostered is also excellent.
Angels' Recommended Batting Order and Skills
| Batting Order | Player | Recommended Skills |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  D.Erstad’00 | - Leadoff - Table Setter One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 2 |  O.Cabrera’06 | - Leadoff - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 3 |  V.Guerrero’05 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Clutch Hitter |
| 4 | M.Trout’18 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Lineup Consistency |
| 5 |  Shohei Ohtani’23 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Clutch Hitter |
| 6 |  J.Edmonds’97 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 7 |  D.Fletcher’19 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 8 |  D.DeCinces’82 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 9 | M.Napoli’09 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| Batting Order | Player | Recommended Skills |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  O.Cabrera’06 | - Leadoff - Table Setter One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 2 |  D.Erstad’00 | - Leadoff - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 3 |  V.Guerrero’05 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Clutch Hitter |
| 4 |  Shohei Ohtani’23 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Lineup Consistency |
| 5 |  M.Napoli’09 | - Cleanup Trio - Heart of the Order - Clutch Hitter |
| 6 |  D.Fletcher’19 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 7 |  B.Drury’24 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 8 |  M.Trout’24 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
| 9 |  L.Rengifo’24 | - Bottom of the Order - Batting Machine One of the following - Late Inning Focus - Pennant Race (Recommended for PvP) |
Selection Criteria
Prioritizing High-Rarity Players
High rarity affects a player's initial ability scores and the increase in ability scores when developed. Therefore, the rankings above prioritize selecting high-rarity players.
High Priority for Rostering Players with High Ability Scores
Depending on the player, some high-rarity players may have low ability scores. In particular, some Impact players have low initial ability scores, so replacing them with players with high ability scores or deck scores may increase the team's OVR.
Considering Deck Score for LIVE/Season
The LIVE/Season players selected in the rankings above take into account the high deck score. Deck score is important content for increasing the overall ability scores of the team. Therefore, it is acceptable to roster players with high deck scores even if their ability scores are slightly lower.
