Angels roster projection 2.0: Who is Los Angeles' fifth starting pitcher?

New York Times

12-03-2025

While the Los Angeles Angels are optimistic about an improvement from last season, they've seemingly avoided being too boastful about their chances to make a postseason run.
'With the talent (our young players) have, I think the sky's the limit,' Angels general manager Perry Minasian told reporters in Tempe, Ariz. 'So, does that happen this year? Does that happen next year? I don't know. Everybody has different time frames on different things.'
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Regardless of whether the Angels end their MLB-long 10-year postseason drought or nine-season winning record drought, it's clear that they believe they're headed in the right direction. And it's also clear that a significant improvement on their 63-99 record will be critical in showcasing that.
There will likely be many players who put on an Angels uniform this season. Such is the nature of the organization and the sport as a whole. But who they choose to start with could be reflective of what they'll prioritize this season and who they think is most ready to make the next step.
Might second baseman Christian Moore start in the big leagues? Will pitcher Ryan Johnson skip the minor leagues entirely? Is Reid Detmers still a priority for this organization? Is Tim Anderson still a big-league caliber player? All questions will be answered in the next two weeks.
But for now, let's speculate on what this team might do.
On roster: Yusei Kikuchi, José Soriano, Tyler Anderson, Kyle Hendricks, Reid Detmers
In the mix: Jack Kochanowicz, Chase Silseth, Ryan Johnson
Who will be the No. 5 starter?
This is the competition of camp. Who wins the No. 5 spot? The top two competitors, Detmers and Kochanowicz, have pitched quite well. Kochanowicz has allowed just one run in nine innings. Detmers has given up three runs in 10 innings. While the better option right now might be Kochanowicz, the pick here is still Detmers.
The Angels have invested so much into Detmers, and the fact that his spring has been encouraging is too enticing a scenario to pass up. If he can finally put it together, it would be massive for the organization. It's hard to envision the Angels passing up on him, even with how much they value Kochanowicz, who can still make the roster in the bullpen. There's also Silseth, who has had a better big league run than anyone but hasn't been as effective so far this spring.
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The Angels had 18 pitchers start a game in 2024. So it stands to reason that everyone will get their shot. It just makes sense that it's Detmers first.
On roster: Kenley Jansen, Ben Joyce, Brock Burke, Ryan Zeferjahn, Kochanowicz, José Suarez, José Quijada, Garrett McDaniels
In the mix: Silseth, Michael Petersen, Hans Crouse, Johnson
Does the Rule-5 pick make the team?
There are effectively six bullpen spots sewn up. Jansen, Joyce, Burke, Zeferjahn, Suarez and Quijada. That leaves a couple of openings for the team to tinker with. The Angels will have to decide how much they value Garrett McDaniels, who has impressed during his spring outings. He's a Rule-5 pick, so he'll be returned to the Dodgers if he isn't on the roster. Given how he's pitched, it stands to reason he'll at least get a look in Anaheim.
Kochanowicz is the other choice. The Angels let Soriano pitch in a multi-inning relief role last year before a spot opened up. It makes sense they'll do the same thing this season with Kochanowicz if he isn't in the rotation. The big wild card here is Johnson, whom the Angels love and who has had a great spring. Could he sneak in? Probably not. But there's a reason he's still in camp when many of the young pitchers were sent down.
On roster: Logan O'Hoppe, Travis d'Arnaud
In the mix: Chuckie Robinson
Not much of a competition here. Assuming everyone is healthy, it will be O'Hoppe and d'Arnaud with the team to start the season.
On roster: Nolan Schanuel, Tim Anderson, Kyren Paris, Ryan Noda, Yoán Moncada, Kevin Newman
In the mix: Christian Moore, Scott Kingery, J.D. Davis
Does Moore make his MLB debut on Opening Day?
This is where things get tricky. Luis Rengifo is not listed here because it seems quite possible that he'll start the season on the IL. He missed time with an illness and now has been out with a hamstring injury. While it remains possible that he's with the club to start the year, it also might not be prudent to rush him. Shortstop Zach Neto will likely miss at least the first few weeks of the season, too.
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So, where does that leave the Angels? Schanuel, Moncada and Newman will be on the team. But who else? Kyren Paris has been excellent this spring, so we'll go with him over Christian Moore for a couple of reasons. When the Angels bring up Moore, it should be with the intention of him staying. Given that his placement might be temporary as Rengifo and Neto recover, it makes more sense to avoid an immediate Moore call-up.
Noda makes the roster as a backup first baseman, given that he also provides left-handed power and has a solid big league track record. Another interesting competition will be between Kingery and Tim Anderson. Kingery is on the 40-man roster, but any semblance of Anderson returning to his old form can't be ignored.
On roster: Mike Trout, Jo Adell, Mickey Moniak, Jorge Soler, Taylor Ward
In the mix: Matthew Lugo
There's not much competition here, which is similar to the case at catcher. Assuming everyone is healthy, these will be the five players who crack the roster. Don't sleep on Lugo, however. He'll be with the team at some point this season.
It remains to be seen how the Angels break down center field with Moniak and Adell and just how often Soler is asked to play defense. But as for who makes it, well, they all should.
(Photo of Reid Detmers: Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images)