Los Angeles Angels: 4 bold predictions for the 2022 MLB season

The Los Angeles Angels have not seen much success since Mike Trout entered the league in 2011. The team has made the playoffs only once and finished in the bottom half of their division eight times. Trout has performed exceptionally well on an individual standpoint, being named an All-Star nine times and winning three MVP awards during that time frame.

Mike Trout is a perennial MVP candidate. He has won the award nine out of the 11 times. The only two seasons in which he didn't finish in the top 5 were 2011 and 2021. Trout struggled with injuries in 2021, playing in only 36 games. He reported to Spring Training this year fully healthy.

Trout will win the 2022 AL MVP award.

The Los Angeles Angels have a solid pitching staff. They made MLB history by going 20-for-20 in selecting pitchers with each of their 20 draft picks. The franchise followed up their unique draft strategy with the offseason acquisitions of Noah Syndergaard, Michael Lorenzen, and Raisel Iglesias.

The Los Angeles Angels pitching staff is good enough to keep the Angels in contention in 2022.

Shohei Ohtani will have a tough time repeating his success from last season. Ohtorani has the unique challenge of playing both as a pitcher and a hitter. He will be under a lot of pressure to repeat as MVP. He has talent to still produce All-Star caliber seasons.

Ohtani will be an All-Star in 2022, but not an MVP.

The Angels have a real chance to win the AL West title in 2022. They are under pressure to improve their team and make the playoffs. The team has added some pieces this year and is expected to be in the title race all the way to the end. The season ends in a loss in ALDS. Their progress towards true contention starts in 2023.