AL West Primer: Angels
Will the Angels rise in the standings or record an eleventh straight losing season?
The first segment of our AL West primer series focuses on a club that experienced its tenth consecutive losing campaign in 2025.
Before looking at the Angels’ current situation, let’s review last season’s numbers. Doing so reveals why the team finished in the AL West division cellar.
The lineup clobbered a ton of home runs. But it ranked last in doubles and batting average, while tallying 96 more strikeouts than 29th-ranked Colorado.
On the pitching side, Los Angeles was even worse. The staff was bottom-three in multiple categories with the bullpen blowing an MLB-high 34 saves.
To be fair, Angels pitchers didn’t receive adequate support from a defense that allowed 47 runners to reach base via error. Only the White Sox (48) permitted more. From an advanced metric standpoint, the picture doesn’t improve.
The team’s overall defense ranked 30th with minus-54 FRV. Third base and both corner outfield spots were last, while catcher and shortstop were bottom-five.
Fielding Run Value (FRV) is Statcast's metric for capturing a player’s overall measurable defensive performance. ZERO is always average.
Several recognizable names left in the offseason. But many familiar faces remained on hand to greet new manager Kurt Suzuki.
Notable departures: Tyler Anderson (SP), Kenley Jansen (RP), Kyle Hendricks (SP), Luis Rengifo (INF), Luis García (RP), Taylor Ward (OF), Brock Burke (RP)
Position players
First baseman Nolan Schanuel doesn’t possess significant home run power. But his .353 OBP last year tied for 30th best with Mariners Josh Naylor and Brendan Donovan.
At second base, Christian Moore, Vaughn Grissom, Oswald Peraza Nick Madrigal, Denzer Guzman, and Adam Frazier are in the mix for playing time.
Moore debuted last season producing a .198 AVG, .284 OBP, .370 SLG with a poor 81 OPS+ and 33.7-percent strikeout rate. Defensively, the eighth overall pick in 2024 was minus-1 FRV in 142 innings.
On-base Plus Slugging Plus (OPS+) is a normalized version of OPS that adjusts for park and league conditions. OPS+ is scaled so 100 is always league-average. As a result, an OPS+ of 150 means a hitter was 50-percent more productive than the average player. An 80 OPS+ would be 20-percent below average.
Grissom played for Class-AAA Worcester last year. With Boston and Atlanta in 2022-24, he delivered a .255 AVG, .309 OBP, .346 SLG with an 82 OPS+ in 350 plate appearances. The 25-year-old has shortstop and second base experience. But a minus-11 FRV in 781 innings isn’t encouraging.
Peraza was once a top Yankees prospect. Yet, in 525 plate appearances over the last four seasons, he’s hit .189 with a 51 OPS+ and a 27.1-percent strikeout rate. The 25-year-old played every infield position last year with a one FRV in 650 innings. Moreover, his sprint speed tied for 18th best with Seattle’s Julio Rodríguez.
Unfortunately, Madrigal has been on the IL nine times since debuting with the White Sox six years ago. A shoulder injury cost him all of last season. The fourth overall pick of 2018 has a .274 AVG, .323 OBP, .344 SLG and 86 OPS+ in 940 plate appearances.
The 22-year-old Guzmán hit 30 doubles and 17 home runs with a .247 AVG, .343 OBP, and .426 SLG at AA and AAA last year. But a 25.4-percent strikeout rate in 539 minor league plate appearances is concerning.
With the Pirates and Royals last year, Frazier hit 20 doubles with a .267 AVG, .319 OBP, and 91 OPS+. The 34-year-old mostly played second base. He also made starts at third base and both corner outfield spots.
Shortstop Zach Neto provides a nice blend of speed and power. Last year, he clobbered 29 doubles and 26 home runs and swiped 26 bags. That said, his minus-4 FRV was 21st among 28 shortstops with 750 innings.
Third baseman Yoán Moncada can be productive, when available. Since the beginning of the 2022 campaign, he’s been on the IL six times playing just 45-percent of his teams’ games.
Key Position Players (and 2025 OPS+)
1B - Nolan Schanuel (107)
2B - Christian Moore (81)
SS - Zach Neto (117)
3B - Yoán Moncada (116)
LF - Jorge Soler (87)
CF - Jo Adell (111)
RF - Josh Lowe (81)
DH - Mike Trout (121)
C - Logan O’Hoppe (72)
The outfield includes future Hall of Famer Mike Trout, Jo Adell, newcomer Josh Lowe, and Jorge Soler. Trout and Soler likely cover designated hitter, too.
The regular center fielder hasn’t been named by Suzuki. That said, Trout has voiced a preference to return to his former position. But his advancing age and recent injury history may send management in another direction.
Trout played in 130 contests last year - his highest total since 2019. The 34-year-old primarily served as designated hitter. He also started 22 times in right field accruing minus-2 FRV. Trout’s 121 OPS+ was superb, although it pales in comparison to his career mark (169). Moreover, his 32-percent strikeout rate was nine points higher than his lifetime average.
Another candidate might be Adell, who had a breakout season at the plate with 37 home runs and a 111 OPS+. Still, his minus-8 FRV ranked last among center fielders. By September, he was playing right field.
Bryce Teodosio took over center field late in the year. Teodosio’s nine FRV in 406 innings was top-shelf. So was a sprint speed that was tenth best in MLB. Then again, a 50 OPS+ is hard to overlook.
Lowe played right field with the Rays last season. Defensively, his minus-8 FRV was 30th among 40 corner outfielders. He also had a suboptimal 81 OPS+. Lowe is currently dealing with oblique soreness. The five-year veteran expects to be ready for the season opener.
As for Soler, lower back inflammation caused him to miss the last two weeks of June and then the final two months of the 2025 campaign. When the 34-year-old was available, he slugged .387 with an 87 OPS+. Soler started 39 games in right field, which resulted in minus-4 FRV.
The offensive and defensive numbers of catcher Logan O’Hoppe were not good. O’Hoppe’s .629 OPS was ranked 31st among receivers. His minus-12 FRV was bottom-three. For context, MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh had a top-ranked .948 OPS and eighth-best seven FRV.
Notable reserves (and 2025 OPS+)
IF - Vaughn Grissom (MiLB)
C - Travis d’Arnaud (65)
IF - Oswald Peraza (33)
OF - Bryce Teodosio (53)
IF - Denzer Guzmán (MiLB)
IF/OF - Chris Taylor (55)+
IF - Nick Madrigal (DNP)+
OF - Jose Siri (INJ)+
IF/OF - Donovan Walton (MiLB)+
IF/OF - Yolmer Sánchez (MiLB)+
IF - Jeimer Candelario (MiLB) +
1B/OF - Trey Mancini (MiLB) +
1B/OF - Niko Kavadas (MiLB) +
IF - Kyren Paris (MiLB)+
CF- Nelson Rada (MiLB)+
OF - Raudi Rodriguez (MiLB)+
OF - Wade Meckler (MiLB)+
OF - Gustavo Campero (MiLB)+
C - Sebastián Rivero (MiLB)+
+ Not on 40-man roster
Backup catcher Travis d’Arnaud wasn’t productive at the plate (65 OPS+) and a below-average defender (minus-5 FRV). He’s also entering his age-37 season.
Chris Taylor returns on a minor-league deal. The 35-year-old played all three outfield spots and second base in 2025, which might come in handy. Still, he posted a 55 OPS+.
Jose Siri is an intriguing outfield candidate. The non-roster invite missed most of 2025 with a leg injury and has been a below average run producer during his career. Then again, Siri has always been an elite defender with excellent speed.
Starting Rotation
Yusei Kikuchi and José Soriano spearheaded the rotation. Each made at least 31 starts and surpassed 160 innings. Kikuchi’s .324 xwOBA was 65th best among 121 starters facing 500 hitters, while the .312 xwOBA of Soriano ranked 42nd.
Expected Weighted On-Base Average (xwOBA) uses quality of contact (exit velocity and launch angle) to determine what should’ve happened to batted balls. A key advantage to xwOBA is defense (good or bad) doesn’t influence it. This gives us a truer sense of how a hitter or pitcher is performing. MLB league-average xwOBA last year = .316
After the top two guys, there’s a lot of uncertainty. For example, two offseason acquisitions didn’t pitch in 2025: Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah.
A lat strain and shoulder inflammation limited Rodriguez to 20 starts in 2024. Elbow surgery erased 2025. Similarly, a shoulder injury and Tommy John surgery cost Manoah most of 2024 and all of last year.
Reid Detmers returns to starting after being a reliever in 2025. Detmers did miss the last two weeks of September with an elbow issue. The team reports he is now healthy.
Jack Kochanowicz could be an option after making 23 starts last year. Then again, Kochanowicz’s 6.81 ERA ranked last among 127 pitchers with 100 innings.
Starter stable (and 2025 xwOBA)
Yusei Kikuchi (.327)
José Soriano (.312)
Reid Detmers (.296)
Grayson Rodriguez (Injured)
Alek Manoah (Injured)
Jack Kochanowicz (.368)
Sam Aldegheri (MiLB)
Walbert Ureña (MiLB)
Caden Dana (MiLB)
Mitch Farris (MiLB)
Victor Mederos (MiLB)
Ryan Johnson (MiLB)
George Klassen (MiLB)+
Joel Hurtado (MiLB)+
Huascar Ynoa (IND)+
Shaun Alexander (MiLB)+
+ Not on 40-man roster
Several inexperienced arms may receive opportunities to contribute with the big-league club in 2026. Sam Aldegheri, Walbert Ureña, and Caden Dana are examples.
Bullpen
The relief corps has a chance to provide value. But just like the rotation, there’s a decent amount of risk associated with the arms assembled by management.
Recognizable names Kirby Yates, Drew Pomeranz, Jordan Romano, and Brent Suter were signed in the offseason. But only Pomeranz had a better-than-average xwOBA last year. Furthermore, Pomeranz, Romano, Suter, and non-roster invite Hunter Strickland are 36-or-older.
Reliever pool (and 2025 xwOBA)
Robert Stephenson (INJ)
Drew Pomeranz (.291)
Jordan Romano (.314)
Kirby Yates (.318)
Ryan Zeferjahn (.321)
Brent Suter (.314)
José Fermin (.314)
Chase Silseth (.312)
Sam Bachman (.318)
Ben Joyce (Injured)
Jayvien Sandridge (MiLB)
Nick Sandlin (.324)+
Miguel Castro (.347)+
Tayler Saucedo (.365)+
Kaleb Ort (.288)+
Hunter Strickland (.309)+
Angel Perdomo (MiLB)+
Samy Natera (MiLB)+
+ Not on 40-man roster
Robert Stephenson made just 12 starts last year after missing 2024. He’s healthy now, but has a long injury history. Therefore, his status merits monitoring.
Another oft-injured reliever, hard-throwing Ben Joyce underwent season-ending labrum surgery last May and is throwing off a mound. Whether he’ll be ready for Opening Day is unclear.
Outlook
Perhaps time proves this nerd wrong, which is fine. But the Angels appear destined to finish in last place.
That said, I really want Mike Trout to be Mike Trout again.
My Oh My…