5 Greatest Los Angeles Angels Hitters of All Time

Garret Anderson spent his entire 15-year career with the Angels and was a key member of the team’s 2002 World Series championship club.

A three-time All-Star, Anderson became one of the most accomplished players in franchise history and holds the Angels’ records for games played (2,013), hits (2,368), RBIs (1,292), and total bases (3,743).

His consistency and longevity made him one of the defining players of the Angels’ franchise.

4. Tim Salmon (1992-2004, 2006)

Tim Salmon was a fan favorite, affectionately known as “Mr. Angel,” and spent his entire 14-year career with the organization. When he retired, Salmon was the franchise leader in home runs with 299, a record that has since been surpassed by Trout.

In 2002, Salmon was named the AL Comeback Player of the Year and played a key role in helping the Angels win their first World Series championship.

He hit 30 or more home runs five times during the 1990s, yet remarkably, he never led the league in any major offensive category and was never selected to an All-Star Game.

3. Vladimir Guerrero (2004-2009)

Vladimir Guerrero spent six seasons with the Angels and made an immediate impact, winning the 2004 American League MVP Award after batting .336 with 39 home runs and 126 RBIs. His dominant first season helped the Angels win the AL West for the first time since 1986.

During his six-year tenure in Anaheim, Guerrero helped the Angels capture the division title five times and established himself as one of the most productive hitters in franchise history.

He batted a franchise-best .319 during his Angels career, posted a .927 OPS, and was selected to four All-Star Games as an Angel.

2. Shohei Ohtani (2018-2023)

Shohei Ohtani delivered one of the most uniquely dominant stretches in baseball history. He excelled as both an elite pitcher and a powerful hitter, becoming the first player to consistently perform at an MVP level on both sides of the ball.

Ohtani won two unanimous American League MVP awards, in 2021 and 2023, while establishing himself as one of the most remarkable players the game has ever seen.

As a hitter during his Angels tenure, he slugged 171 home runs and posted a .922 OPS. After the 2023 season, he became a free agent and signed a historic contract with the Dodgers. 

1. Mike Trout (2011-Present)

Mike Trout made an immediate impact in the majors when he debuted in 2012. The first-round pick in the 2009 MLB draft and was named American League Rookie of the Year in 2012.

He went on to win three AL MVP awards in 2014, 2016, and 2019, while finishing second in the voting four other times (2012, 2013, 2015, and 2018).

MORE: Mike Trout's Net Worth, Career Earnings, and Endorsements

A 12-time All-Star and nine-time Silver Slugger, Trout has established himself as one of the greatest players of his generation and is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer.

The accolades are extensive, but his dominance is perhaps best reflected in his franchise records: he ranks first in Angels history in Wins Above Replacement (91.2), home runs (424), runs scored (1,264), and OPS (.968).

The biggest setback of Trout’s otherwise remarkable career has been his limited postseason experience, with only three games played in the postseason, all coming during the Angels’ 2014 ALDS loss to the Royals.