The Brewers’ run through the National League playoffs offered the kind of blueprint the Angels need to study closely now that new ownership is on the horizon. Milwaukee didn’t get there by accident. Chad Jennings of The Athletic laid out 10 straightforward moves that helped push the Brewers to this point, and several of them translate cleanly to the Angels’ situation.
One of the biggest lessons is also one of the simplest: keep the core together. Jennings pointed to eight Brewers who remain foundational pieces, which stands out in a league where rosters turn over fast.
The Angels have already stumbled into a version of that idea, though not in the cleanest way. Late in 2025, they had nearly all of their top picks on the field at once, including shortstop Zach Neto, first baseman Nolan Schanuel, outfielder Jo Adell and fellow outfielder Mike Trout.
That group, however, was never a perfect fit as a long-term plan. Adell was eventually dealt to the Cleveland Guardians, and he’s now starring in a postseason role.
The bigger issue is how the Angels arrived there: by leaning heavily on college players who were viewed as MLB-ready or close to it when they were drafted. That approach may get players to the majors quickly, but it does little to create depth in the farm system.
Pair a better ownership structure with a real GM, a functioning farm system and a manager, though, and there’s at least a path forward.
Milwaukee’s example also points to the value of patience with young talent. Jennings used outfielder Jackson Chourio as his illustration, and the Angels could apply that same idea with rookie starter Walbert Urena.
He looks like an ace waiting to happen if he’s handled and developed the right way, something plenty of teams never quite manage. The offensive version of that kind of prospect - Arjun Nimmala, anyone? - would give the Angels another important building block.
The Angels have already taken one hard step by cleaning house at the deadline, and that move helped their farm system earn a strong grade. But the next hard decision matters just as much: moving on from players like starter Grayson Rodriguez and outfielder Josh Lowe, both acquired in trades. Hoping that struggling players simply figure it out is not a real plan for a team trying to contend.
Then there’s the bullpen, which was a mess. The Angels spent the season shuffling through closer options, and it became clear early on that there was no real bullpen structure in place. That part of the rebuild can start right away, and there are even a couple of pitchers who could already fit into the plan.
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Angels Top Prospect Keeps Forcing A Bigger Future Debate
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Nimmalas latest showing came in a matchup that carried some extra weight because of the competition on the mound, and he kept finding ways to impact the game from start to finish. For an Angels organization looking for more impact talent, the question is no longer whether Nimmala is having a good fall. It is how soon his performance starts forcing decisions to come faster than expected. [Read more 🡒]