Even after the LA Angels saw Simmons put up MVP-caliber numbers throughout the first half of 2017 (he finished eighth in voting), he remained in the bottom third of the lineup for most of the season. In 2018, Simmons has taken his game to an entirely new level, putting up career-highs in nearly every offensive statistic.
So why keep him so low in the order?
Mike Trout, Justin Upton, and Albert Pujols are penciled in as the 2-4 hitters. When Shohei Ohtani hits, Simmons hits sixth. If he doesn’t, Simmons hits fifth.