- Mike Trout has by far the most bWAR among any player in Angels history.
- Four different Angels have won AL MVP.
- Only four franchises have had fewer Cy Young winners than the Angels.
Despite rarely being among the favourites when MLB playoff odds come out during spring training, the list of best Los Angeles Angels players of all time features some of the sport’s greats. In the 21st century, the Angels have witnessed some of the most spectacular individual seasons, but that has rarely translated to team success.
Since being founded in 1961, the Angels have made 10 trips to the playoffs. Their lone World Series win came in 2002.
Here are my rankings for the greatest Angels players ever.
Best Los Angeles Angels Players of All Time
| Rank | Player | Position | Angels Years |
| 1 | Mike Trout | Center Fielder | 2011-Present |
| 2 | Shohei Ohtani | Starting Pitcher/Designated Hitter | 2018-2023 |
| 3 | Troy Percival | Relief Pitcher | 1995-2004 |
| 4 | Vladimir Guerrero | Right Fielder | 2004-2009 |
| 5 | Tim Salmon | Right Fielder | 1992-2006 |
1. Mike Trout
Los Angeles might have mustered a lone postseason appearance in the Mike Trout era, yet there’s no question he is the best Angels player of all time. He is well ahead of any other player.
11 years ago today, @MikeTrout made this INSANE catch and robbed JJ Hardy of a home run 🤯
(via @angels)pic.twitter.com/Mwm4Ggfh8J
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 27, 2023
While injuries have truncated Trout’s prime, he still has comfortably the most bWAR of any active major leaguer. His 173 OPS+ is among the best in MLB history. You can make a case that he’s unlucky to only have former MVP awards to his name.
2. Shohei Ohtani
Rookie of the Year and a two-time MVP, Shohei Ohtani might be ninth in Angels bWAR, but he simply had to be second behind Trout in these rankings. Ohtani did things in an Angels jersey that have never been done before in the majors.
Not only second in OPS+ behind Trout, his ERA+ is only bettered by Troy Percival. When fully healthy, Ohtani was a Cy Young-caliber pitcher and an MVP-level hitter.
His decision to depart for the Dodgers in 2023 means his stats won’t be especially eye-catching, but Ohtani transcended baseball and made the Angels interesting even when they were far from competitive.
3. Troy Percival
It’s easy to overlook relievers in these rankings. They don’t have the same volume as starting pitchers, so even after 10 years with the Angels, Troy Percival amassed only 16.8 bWAR.
Percival, though, was a World Series winner and four-time All-Star during that period. His 157 ERA+ is the best of any Angels pitcher, and no one can match his WHIP.
Troy Percival shares his excitement for the young arms 💪#LAASpring pic.twitter.com/KoYGEvQgJr
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) March 20, 2023
Only 30 players across all MLB franchises have collected 300 total saves – Percival racked up 316 of his 358 total during his team in Anaheim.
4. Vladimir Guerrero
In six seasons as an Angel, Vladimir Guerrero had four All-Star selections and three top-three MVP finishes, including winning the award in 2004.
The Angels reached the postseason in five of Guerrero’s six seasons. Ohtani and Trout are the only players with a better OPS+. While Los Angeles only got the latter part of Guerrero’s peak, and he tailed off in his last couple of seasons, his production is well-deserving a place in the top five.
5. Tim Salmon
Only Trout and Jim Fregosi have a better bWAR among Angels position players. Never named an All-Star and only receiving MVP votes in three seasons, Tim Salmon’s longevity is what earns him the fifth spot.
Salmon is still tied for fourth in OPS+ among all Angels. He had five seasons hitting 30 or more homers, and only Trout has hit more long balls in franchise history.