Projected batting order David Eckstein, SS Darin Erstad, CF Garret Anderson, LF Troy Glaus, 3B Tim Salmon, RF Brad Fullmer, DH Scott Spiezio, 1B Ben Molina, C Adam Kennedy, 2B Rotation Jarrod Washburn, LHP Ramon Ortiz, RHP Kevin Appier, RHP John Lackey, RHP Mickey Callaway, RHP Bench Shawn Wooten, OF Eric Owens, OF Benji Gil, INF Jose Molina, C Chone Figgins, INF Bullpen Troy Percival, RHP (CL) Francisco Rodriguez, RHP Brendan Donnelly, RHP Scott Schoeneweis, LHP Ben Weber, RHP Scot Shields, RHP Complete Angels roster  ESPN's Take Q: What's the biggest obstacle to Anaheim repeating as World Series champions? First, Tim Salmon and Darin Erstad are huge keys. They have to repeat the kinds of seasons they had last year and not repeat their 2001 struggles. The Angels didn't do anything over the offseason and are counting on the development of young guys to make the squad better. The starting pitching will be all right, not bad and not great, but the bullpen is fantastic and guys like Francisco Rodriguez and Brendan Donnelly give Anaheim power arms who can take over games in the sixth inning. In the end, though, it will come down to Salmon and Erstad having the kinds of years that will motivate the rest of the team. -- Tom Candiotti Garret Anderson is so underrated, he's actually become overrated. Long unrecognized for his annual 25-HR, 100-RBI seasons, Anderson is really only a top player for RBI, since he doesn't run or score much. Draft him early, but not too early. John Lackey wasn't on the radar screen last year early on, but when he came up to the majors he made a big contribution. Now, he looks like a young Kevin Appier, with years of 200 innings ahead of him. Will he win a Cy Young? Not likely, but in fantasy terms, 200 decent innings is valuable. -- Eric Karabell Casey Kotchman, 1B Has a sweet left-handed stroke, but was hampered by a wrist injury for much of last season as he played in only 81 games. Projects as the Angels' starting first baseman by 2005.

Manager: Mike Scioscia  Home: Edison International Field (45,050)  '02 record: 99-63  Team page | Schedule | Offseason moves

Catcher: Ben Molina Weak with the stick (.245-5-47 last season), but is a solid backstop who played a major role in the Angels' improbable run to winning the World Series last October. If he could become more selective at the plate (just 15 walks in 122 games), it would most definitely help the Angels' offense. First Base: Scott Spiezio Doesn't dazzle with his play, but if you saw him in last year's postseason you saw what an important part he played in the Angels' title run. Had perhaps the biggest hit in the World Series -- a three-run homer in the seventh inning of Game 6, a blast that got the Angels back into the game they eventually went on to win 6-5, evening the series at 3-3. Each season he's been with the Angels (since 2000) has shown improvement, and thus could have a breakout season in 2003. Second Base: Adam Kennedy Had a splendid season in 2002 as he batted a career high .312, seventh-best in the American League. The left-handed hitting Kennedy will once again get the majority of playing time at second base, but is expected to again split time with the righty-swinging Benji Gil. Third Base: Troy Glaus Had a superb World Series, where he batted .385 (10-for-26) with three homers and eight RBI, and capped it all off by being named Series MVP. But his regular-season numbers were far from spectacular as he batted a woeful .250 with a team-high 144 strikeouts, third-most in the AL. Has hit 30 or more homers and has driven in 100 or more runs for three straight years. Shortstop: David Eckstein At first glance looks like the bat boy, but looks are deceiving. Was the sparkplug at the top of the Angels' lineup last year and was also a solid defensive shortstop (.977 fielding percentage). Had a better-than-average on-base percentage last year (.363) and also led the team with 107 runs scored. How he goes, normally go the Angels. Left Field: Garret Anderson Had his best season in 2002, establishing career highs in many offensive categories, including having a major-league leading 56 doubles. Played in 158 games, the seventh straight season he's played in 150 or more games. Remains one of the most underrated players in baseball. Center Field: Darin Erstad After having a second straight subpar regular season (.283 batting average and a .313 on-base percentage), was dynamite in the postseason. In 16 playoff games, he batted .352 and had a .356 OBP. Will probably never again produce like he did in 2000 (.355 BA, .409 OBP along with 240 hits), but definitely brings a win-at-all-costs mentality to the Angels. Right Field: Tim Salmon The most senior member of the Angels is entering his 12th season with the team. Had a bounce back regular season (.286-22-88) from a dreadful 2001 campaign. Played well in the postseason as well, including batting .346 with two home runs in the World Series. Underwent offseason knee surgery, so his playing time could be limited at least early on. Designated hitter: Brad Fullmer Will likely never again duplicate the career year he had in 2000 (.295-32-104), but along with Shawn Wooten provides a servicable platoon. Fullmer did cut down significantly on his strikeouts and improved his on-base percentage last year compared to the previous season. No. 1 Starter: Jarrod Washburn Emerged as the staff ace last season in compiling an 18-6 record with a 3.15 ERA. Pitched a career high 206 innings in 2002, and showed he's perhaps ready to develop into a consistent workhorse for the Angels. Will likely need to duplicate his numbers from a season ago for the Angels to remain among the elite. No. 2 Starter: Ramon Ortiz Led the Angels with 217.1 innings pitched while winning a career high 15 games, second-most on the team behind Washburn. Also, topped the club with 162 strikeouts and four complete games. And for the fourth straight year saw his ERA drop from 6.52 to 5.09 to 4.36 to 3.77 in 2002. No. 3 Starter: Kevin Appier Performed pretty much as expected (14-12, 3.92) though he finished up poorly both in the regular season (1-3, 5.08 in five September starts) as well as the postseason (0-1, 6.23 in five starts). Has become a pitcher who can normally throw five innings tops before breaking down. Don't expect much from him this season. No. 4 Starter: John Lackey Was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of last year's World Series and came up big throughout the postseason, both as a starter and a reliever. Was promoted from Triple-A last June and pitched well, compiling a 9-4 record with a 3.66 ERA in 18 starts. Could become a front-of-the-rotation starter by midseason. Bullpen: Francisco Rodriguez, Brendan Donnelly, Scott Schoeneweis, Ben Weber, Scot Shields This unknown cast of characters (remember Rodriguez wasn't called up until mid-September) pitched lights-out for nearly the entire season. The bullpen finished with a 2.98 ERA, which was the ebst in the AL. Donnelly (2.17 ERA in 46 appearances) and Weber (2.54 ERA in 63 appearances) were especially impressive. And just think, Rodriguez will be in the pen from Day 1 in 2003. Good luck, AL. Closer: Troy Percival Posted a career-best 1.92 ERA while recording 40 saves. Held hitters to an impressive .188 batting average against. Is quickly turning into the top closer in the game and possesses that dominating presence that few closers have.

-- Matt Szefc, ESPN.com

Record: 99-63 | Finish: 2nd in AL West (won World Series over San Francisco) | Results | Statistics: Hitting | Pitching Offense (AL rank) Defense (AL rank) 851 runs (4th) Home: 404 runs (7th) Road: 447 (3rd) 644 runs allowed (1st) Home: 318 (1st) Road: 326 (3rd) 2002 Stats Leaders   Average: Adam Kennedy, .312 Runs: David Eckstein, 107 On-base pct: Tim Salmon, .380 Stolen bases: Darrin Erstad, 23 Wins: Jarrod Washburn, 18 Saves: Troy Percival, 40 Home runs: Troy Glaus, 30 RBI: Garret Anderson, 123 Slugging pct.: Anderson, .539 OPS: Brad Fullmer, .888 ERA: Washburn, 3.15 Strikeouts: Ramon Ortiz, 162