What Is 2022 Los Angeles Angels baseball team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2022 Los Angeles Angels finished with a 73–89 record, placing 4th in the AL West. Despite Mike Trout’s strong season, the team missed the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year.

Key Facts

Finished with a 73–89 record under manager Joe Maddon
Mike Trout hit 39 home runs and posted a .988 OPS
Shohei Ohtani won his second consecutive AL MVP runner-up finish
Albert Pujols returned and hit 24 home runs in his final season
The Angels went 3–21 in September, the worst record in MLB that month

Overview

The 2022 Los Angeles Angels season was marked by high expectations, star power, and underwhelming results. Despite boasting one of the most potent lineups in baseball, including MVP-caliber performances from Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, the team failed to reach the postseason for the sixth straight year.

Under manager Joe Maddon, the Angels struggled with consistency, especially during critical stretches of the season. A disastrous September, in which they went 3–21, effectively ended any playoff hopes and raised questions about leadership and team chemistry.

Final record: The Angels finished 73–89, their worst win total since 2018, and placed fourth in the American League West.
Mike Trout’s performance: Trout played in 119 games, hitting 39 home runs with a .289 batting average and a .988 OPS, one of the best in the league.
Shohei Ohtani’s two-way impact: Ohtani pitched 130.1 innings with a 3.18 ERA and batted .273 with 34 home runs and 92 RBIs, finishing second in MVP voting.
Albert Pujols’ resurgence: In his final season, Pujols hit 24 home runs, including his 700th career homer, and posted a .270 average in 117 games.
September collapse: The team’s 3–21 record in September was the worst in MLB that month, undermining a season that had playoff potential as late as August.

Performance & Key Players

The Angels’ 2022 campaign was defined by individual brilliance overshadowing collective failure. While star players delivered, the supporting cast and bullpen faltered, preventing sustained success.

Starting rotation: The rotation was anchored by Ohtani and Patrick Sandoval, but injuries limited Reid Detmers and Michael Lorenzen, leading to a 4.33 team ERA.
Bullpen struggles: The relief corps had a 4.56 ERA, with closer Raisel Iglesias posting a 3.09 ERA but blowing 7 saves in 28 opportunities.
Jared Walsh’s decline: After a breakout 2021, Walsh hit just .223 with 19 home runs and lost his starting role due to offensive inconsistency.
Defensive lapses: The team ranked 26th in defensive runs saved with numerous errors and poor positioning, especially at third base and in the outfield.
Managerial decisions: Joe Maddon’s late-game tactics drew criticism, particularly his handling of Ohtani’s pitching schedule and bullpen usage in close games.
Injury impact: Key absences included Anthony Rendon, who played only 28 games due to hip and wrist injuries, severely weakening the lineup.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2022 Angels compared to recent seasons and division rivals:

Team/Season	Record	Run Differential	Home Runs	Playoff Result
2022 Angels	73–89	+20	202	Missed playoffs
2021 Angels	77–85	–13	173	Missed playoffs
2020 Angels	26–34	–28	91 (60-game season)	Missed playoffs
2022 Astros	106–56	+203	240	Won World Series
2022 Mariners	90–72	+60	170	Lost in Wild Card

The Angels ranked near the top in home runs but suffered from poor run prevention. While they outperformed the 2021 team in raw power, their defensive and bullpen issues led to more losses despite a positive run differential. In contrast, the division-winning Astros dominated in all phases, highlighting the Angels’ imbalance.

Why It Matters

The 2022 season was a pivotal moment for the Angels franchise, emphasizing the growing urgency to build a competitive team around its superstar core before their primes end.

Missed championship window: With Trout and Ohtani in their prime, failing to reach the playoffs in 2022 extended a drought now spanning over a decade.
Front office scrutiny: General manager Perry Minasian faced criticism for failing to strengthen the roster, especially in the bullpen and at third base.
Managerial future: Joe Maddon was fired after the season, ending a three-year tenure marked by underperformance despite star talent.
Albert Pujols’ legacy: Pujols’ resurgence and 700th home run provided emotional highlights, reminding fans of the team’s historic moments.
Shohei Ohtani’s value: Ohtani’s two-way excellence solidified him as a generational talent, increasing pressure on the team to maximize his remaining years.
Rebuilding vs. contending: The season forced a reckoning: whether to retool around stars or risk losing them to free agency without a title.

The 2022 Angels exemplified the danger of relying solely on star power without organizational depth. While individual performances were elite, the lack of team cohesion and late-season resilience ultimately defined another lost season in Anaheim.