The Angels entered the camp with three-fifths of their circuit. Yusei Kikuchi, José Soriano again Reid Detmers they were locked in. Pictures of the restoration of the season out of season Grayson Rodriguez again Alec Manoah started the spring as favorites for the last two places.
Neither has made a good first impression. Rodriguez has allowed seven runs with a 7:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio through eight innings. At least he had an encouraging velocity, averaging 95 mph on his fastball. He’s a wild card after missing the last season and a half of trouble.
Manoah had a tough time, giving up five runs and eight walks and just four hits in 7 1/3 frames. Former shortstop Cy Young, who also hasn’t appeared in MLB since 2024, is in the 91-92 mph range with his fastball. His velocity was in the same spot last season in the minor leagues. Manoah threw for a 93-94 average before undergoing elbow surgery two seasons ago.
Both pitchers still have minor league options left for years. MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger writes that Manoah’s struggles, in particular, opened doors for him to start the season in the minors. Obviously that would open up an exchange for someone else. Jack Kochanowicz again Sam Aldegheri they seem to represent two top contenders.
Kochanowicz was arguably the worst starter in MLB last season. Among pitchers with 100+ innings, none had a higher earned run average than his 6.81 mark. Only Erick Fedde have a low strike/walk rate difference. Kochanowicz finished the season on an optional assignment to Triple-A Salt Lake.
The sinkerballer put a solid foot forward in camp. Kochanowicz allowed just two runs in 8 2/3 innings that included three appearances. He recorded five strikeouts with one walk while keeping the ball down at a 60% clip. That shouldn’t surpass last year’s struggles, but it might be enough to leapfrog Manowa who is struggling on the depth chart.
Aldegheri is one of the team’s most talented team players. He posted a 6.41 ERA in his first seven major league games but is coming off a 3.78 ERA season in Triple-A. Aldegheri only made two Spring Training trips to the Halos. His best performance to date came against an undefeated Italian team in the World Baseball Classic. Aldegheri pitched eight scoreless frames over 4 2/3 against Brazil (admittedly one of the worst teams in the tournament).
Mitch Farris he had a slight velocity uptick this spring, but he gave up 12 runs in six innings. Kaden Dana is behind camp after being diagnosed with offseason mononucleosis. Walter Ureña made one career Triple-A start, season Victor Mederos he has already been selected out of MLB camp. Hope George Klassen he leads their group of unlisted invitations. The 24-year-old has made one Triple-A start but has more upside than any of the depth pitchers on the 40-man roster.
It’s an aggressive team, but the Angels have shown little interest in making free-agent upgrades. That’s not really on the table right now. Lucas Giolitohis last short stint as an Angel couldn’t have been worse, he’s the only unsigned starter guaranteed to land a major league contract. Patrick Corbin and an old friend Tyler Anderson they are likely looking at minor league deals as they enter their age-36 seasons.
