Trout at 1, Ohtani at 2? Maddon tests it out

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Angels manager Joe Maddon said he plans to use two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani as the club’s leadoff hitter to open the season, but he wanted to experiment with fellow superstar Mike Trout atop the lineup in Friday's 7-6 win over the Reds at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

The Halos are expected to open the year with Ohtani, Trout, Anthony Rendon and Jared Walsh as their top four hitters, in that order. Maddon likes the idea of protecting Ohtani with two right-handed hitters behind him, because it could prevent opposing managers from bringing in a lefty reliever to face Ohtani with the three-batter minimum rule in place.

But Maddon wanted to get a look at Trout as the leadoff hitter against Cincinnati, with Ohtani, Rendon and Walsh hitting behind him.

“It’s an interesting thing,” Maddon said. “There’s nothing to read into, but it’s definitely a possibility. I just wanted to invert them and see what it looks like with Shohei behind Mikey and how that affects him. That’s all there is right now. I’m not saying I won’t do it, but I wanted to see what it looked like.”

Trout went 1-for-3 with a single. Ohtani went 1-for-3 with a first-inning triple, which was immediately followed by a Rendon RBI double.

Hitting leadoff isn't completely new to Trout -- he's been in the top spot 162 times in his career and has batted a formidable .321/.398/.554 at leadoff -- but he hasn't done it much in recent years, serving as the first batter twice in 2017, twice in '18, once in '20 and none last year. He mostly served as the No. 3 hitter in 2021, but he is expected to see more action in the No. 2 spot this year.

Ohtani, the reigning American League MVP, also has some experience atop the lineup, hitting out of that spot 23 times last year and batting a respectable .272/.388/.543. He said he likes hitting leadoff and having Trout, Rendon and Walsh batting behind him.

“My biggest job is to get on base,” Ohtani said through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. “Ideally, extra bases, but if not, draw a walk. And just get someone on for Trout, Rendon, Walshy and those guys.”

Angels deciding on the bullpen
The Angels have been holding meetings between the front office and coaching staff in recent days to discuss whether they’ll open the season with nine or 10 relievers. It still hasn’t been decided yet and could determine whether position players such as Brandon Marsh, Jose Rojas or Jack Mayfield make the Opening Day roster. Raisel Iglesias, Aaron Loup, Ryan Tepera, Archie Bradley, Mike Mayers, Austin Warren, José Quijada and Jaime Barria are considered locks to make the bullpen, leaving one or two spots available.

Jose Marte, Jimmy Herget and Oliver Ortega are in the mix, while non-roster pitchers Kyle Barraclough and Brian Moran have been impressive this spring. Ty Buttrey also remains on the restricted list, although he remains likely to open the year in the Minors once activated.

“It’s still under discussion, but obviously we have time,” Halos general manager Perry Minasian said. “There are advantages to taking nine and having an extra position player, and there are advantages to taking 10. We’ll weigh our options. We’re excited that we’ve had a lot of debate in our meetings, which means you’re better.”

Upton turning heads
Veteran left fielder Justin Upton has been getting extra work in nearly every day this spring, changing his mechanics at the plate and also getting experience at first base to increase his versatility.

Upton, 34, had an injury-marred 2021 season in which he hit .211/.296/.409 with 17 homers and 41 RBIs in 89 games. But he came into camp healthy and has batted .333 with three homers and 11 RBIs in seven Cactus League games, while also hitting three homers in Minor League games. He homered twice against the Brewers on Thursday and drove in six runs.

“Justin has done a great job,” Minasian said. “He’s swung the bat really well. He’s a veteran player who understands what he needs to do on a daily basis to be ready to play.”

Upton is set to earn $28 million this year in the last season of a five-year contract signed before the 2018 season and has a full no-trade clause. But he’s played well enough this spring to earn playing time in left field and could also see a bulk of his time facing lefties. He batted .225/.355/.483 with seven homers and 15 RBIs in 107 plate appearances against southpaws last year.

"He's the guy coming to grab us for the work," Maddon said. "I think it's wonderful. I think he looks lean and in really great shape. And his attitude is spectacular."