The Angels entered camp with three-fifths of their rotation set. Yusei Kikuchi, Jose Soriano and reed ditmus It’s locked. Off-Season Salvage Pickups grayson rodriguez and Alec Manoa I started the spring as the last two favorites.
Neither of them made a good first impression. Rodriguez allowed seven runs in eight innings with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 7:6. He has encouraging velocity, averaging at least 95 mph on his fastball. He is a wild card after missing half of last season with a shoulder issue.
Manoa had an even tougher time, giving up five runs with eight walks and striking out just four over 7 1/3 frames. The former Cy Young finalist, who hasn’t played in the MLB since 2024, was in the 91-92 mph range with his fastball. His velocity was at a similar level in the minor leagues last season. Manoa averaged 93-94 before undergoing elbow surgery two seasons ago.
Both pitchers still have two years remaining on their minor league options. MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger wrote that Manoa’s struggles in particular opened the door for him to start the season in the minor leagues. That would certainly open up a rotation spot for someone else. Jack Kochanovich and Sam Aldegari On the surface, it appears to represent the top two contenders.
Kochanovic was arguably the worst regular starting pitcher in MLB last season. No pitcher who has pitched more than 100 innings has an ERA higher than his 6.81. only Eric Fede The strikeout/walk ratio differential was lower. Kochanowicz finished the season after being optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake.
The sinkerballer has taken a stronger step in camp. Kochanovic allowed just two runs in 8 2/3 innings over three games. He struck out five with one walk while holding the ball in at a 60% percentage. That’s not as much as his struggles last year, but it could be enough to jump the struggling Manoah up the depth chart.
Aldegheri is one of the team’s most talented pitching prospects. He had a 6.41 ERA in his first seven big league games, but has a 3.78 ERA in Triple-A. Aldegheri made only two appearances in spring training for the Halos. His most impressive performance to date was for a surprisingly undefeated Italian team in the World Baseball Classic. Aldegheri had eight strikeouts in 4 2/3 scoreless frames against Brazil (admittedly one of the worst teams in the tournament).
Mitch Paris He showed a slight uptick in velocity this spring, but allowed 12 runs in six innings. Caden Dana He is behind in camp after being diagnosed with mononucleosis in the offseason. Albert Ureña Recorded one career Triple-A start, Victor Mederos Already excluded from MLB camp. view George Classen I am leading an unlisted invited group. The 24-year-old has made just one Triple-A start, but has more stuff than any of the pitchers on the 40-man roster.
It’s a tough group, but the Angels have shown little interest in making significant free agent upgrades. At this point it’s essentially off the table. Lucas Giolitowhose previous brief Angel career could not have been worse, is the only unsigned starting pitcher guaranteed a big league contract. patrick corbin and old friend Tyler Anderson Perhaps he’s considering a minor league contract as he enters his age-36 season.
