On Friday I posted an article agreeing with Bryce Harper’s sentiments about how MLB players should be allowed to play in the Olympics. You can go to read it HERE. So if that were to happen, just for fun, let’s pick a starting lineup to win the gold medal game.

Starting Pitcher

Jacob deGrom

You can make a very good argument for Max Scherzer here, but give me Jacob deGrom. The NL Cy Young winner of the past two years is in the prime of his career and can miss bats as good as anyone.

2019 Stats: 11 wins, 8 losses, 2.43 ERA, 255 Ks, 0.97 WHIP

Catcher

J.T. Realmuto

You’re sort of limited with options at catcher, but you have to go with J.T. Realmuto. He led all major league catchers in RBI last year, third in average, and finished fourth in home runs. Not bad.

2019 Stats: 25 HR, 83 RBI, .275 avg., .820 OPS

First Base

Freddie Freeman

This one’s pretty easy. Freddie Freeman is the best first baseman in the game right now. He’s got big power and the ability to hit for average, and his knack at driving in runs makes this an easy choice. Oh, and he’s a gold glover as well.

2019 Stats: 38 HR, 121 RBI, .295 avg., .938 OPS

Second Base

DJ LeMahieu

I wasn’t expecting to pick DJ LeMahieu going into this, but he’s the best option. And certainly not a bad option at all. He had a great year last year with the Yankees, but a lot of people forget he has had other great seasons as well. He’s hit over .300 in four of the last five years, with a .348 average in 2016.

2019 Stats: 26 HR, 102 RBI, .327 avg., .893 OPS

Third Base

Nolan Arenado

There’s some good options here, but Nolan Arenado is THE option. He’s been one of the best players in the game since he came into the league in 2013. He puts up insane numbers at the plate every year as well as wins the gold glove every single year since entering the league. Easy choice.

2019 Stats: 41 HR, 118 RBI, .315 avg., .962 OPS

Shortstop

Trea Turner

Trea Turner is the perfect leadoff guy. He’s one of the fastest players in the game and creates havoc when he gets on the basepaths. Every time he gets on you have to pay extra attention to him or he’ll end up on third base real quick. I can just imagine him setting the lineup for this loaded squad.

2019 Stats: 19 HR, 57 RBI, .298 avg., .850 OPS, 35 SB

Left Field

Christian Yelich

The last two years he has just put up off the chart numbers, winning the MVP in 2018 and likely to win it again last year before a late-season injury hurt those chances. The crazy thing is, he still had an MVP-type year last year despite missing nearly the last month. He normally plays in right field, but we’re moving him to left because he has to be in the lineup.

2019 Stats: 44 HR, 97 RBI, .329 avg., 1.100 OPS, 30 SB

Center Field

Mike Trout

It’s Mike Trout, the best baseball player in the world. Enough said.

2019 Stats: 45 HR, 104 RBI, .291 avg., 1.083 OPS, 11 SB

Right Field

Cody Bellinger

Right field is a loaded position and we’ve already moved Yelich over. You could make arguments for a few other players, but the way Cody Bellinger has come along it’s about impossible to not take him. His at-bats are must watch. This Yelich-Trout-Bellinger outfield has so much power it’s crazy to even think about.

2019 Stats: 47 HR, 115 RBI, .305 avg., 1.035 OPS, 15 SB

Lineup

1. Trea Turner

2. Christian Yelich

3. Mike Trout

4. Nolan Arenado

5. Cody Bellinger

6. Freddie Freeman

7. DJ LeMahieu

8. JT Realmuto

9. Jacob deGrom

What do you think? Who do you agree or disagree with? Let me know in the comments!

Garett

2021 Olympics USA Baseball Starting Lineup