Projecting the Angels’ 2026 Opening Day Roster: A Team in Transition, Searching for Stability
As pitchers and catchers prepare to report to Tempe, Arizona, the Los Angeles Angels enter another spring with cautious optimism and familiar uncertainty. After yet another disappointing season in 2025, the Halos are hoping a new manager, a refreshed clubhouse, and a retooled roster can finally break the cycle.
There’s talent here - some of it proven, some of it still waiting to show up - but if the Angels want to make noise in 2026, they’ll need more than just hope. They’ll need answers.
Let’s break down what the Opening Day roster might look like and where the biggest questions lie as Cactus League play approaches.
Projected Starting Lineup (9)
Zach Neto (SS), Nolan Schanuel (1B), Mike Trout (RF), Jo Adell (CF), Josh Lowe (LF), Yoán Moncada (3B), Jorge Soler (DH), Logan O'Hoppe (C), Christian Moore (2B)
There’s reason to believe the Angels’ lineup could be the strength of this team - if things fall into place.
Zach Neto has emerged as a legitimate building block at shortstop. He’s got the instincts, the glove, and the bat to be a fixture in the lineup for years to come. Nolan Schanuel continues to be an on-base machine, and his plate discipline gives the top of the order a steady presence.
Josh Lowe is a key addition. A left-handed bat with speed and pop, he brings balance to a lineup that’s leaned heavily right-handed in recent years. If he can replicate his Tampa Bay production, he’ll be a difference-maker.
Then there’s Mike Trout. No longer the automatic MVP candidate he once was, Trout is now a player the Angels have to manage carefully.
Expect him to rotate through the DH spot to stay fresh and avoid the injuries that have derailed recent seasons. He’s still capable of elite production - it’s just about keeping him on the field.
Jorge Soler had a rough 2025, but the Angels are betting on a bounce-back. From 2023-2024, he slugged .477 with a 123 wRC+, and if he can return to that form, he’ll be a valuable power threat in the middle of the order.
Yoán Moncada takes over at third base following the long-anticipated departure of Anthony Rendon. Moncada’s glove is solid, and while his bat has been inconsistent, a change of scenery might help him unlock some of that untapped potential.
Jo Adell remains a puzzle. He showed real power last season, but the strikeout rate was sky-high, and his defense in center field left plenty to be desired. The raw tools are there - speed, strength, athleticism - but the Angels need him to put it all together, especially if he’s going to be the everyday center fielder.
The two biggest wild cards are Logan O’Hoppe and Christian Moore. O’Hoppe struggled to regain form after injury, and the Angels need him to stabilize the pitching staff and contribute offensively.
Moore, meanwhile, looked overmatched in his first taste of the majors. If either player can take a step forward, it would go a long way toward solidifying this lineup.
Projected Bench (4)
Travis d’Arnaud, Vaughn Grissom, Oswald Peraza, Bryce Teodosio
Depth is a concern. The Angels’ bench doesn’t jump off the page, and that could become a problem if injuries hit early.
Travis d’Arnaud is the veteran backup behind the plate, but his 2025 campaign was rough. If O’Hoppe falters or needs time off, there’s no clear answer behind him.
Vaughn Grissom and Oswald Peraza are both out of minor league options, which likely secures their spots on the bench - at least to start the season. Grissom offers some positional versatility, and Peraza brings defensive upside, but neither has shown much with the bat at the big-league level.
Bryce Teodosio is an intriguing name. He’s not going to help with the Angels’ lefty-righty imbalance - he’s another right-handed bat - but he’s one of the best gloves in the organization. If Adell is going to be the everyday center fielder, Teodosio could be a late-inning defensive replacement to help preserve leads.
Trey Mancini, Nick Madrigal, and Denzer Guzman will be in the mix this spring, but unless someone forces the issue, the bench looks set - and underwhelming.
Projected Starting Rotation (5)
Framber Valdez, Yusei Kikuchi, Jose Soriano, Reid Detmers, Grayson Rodriguez
This is where things get interesting. The Angels’ rotation has talent - but it’s also full of question marks. That’s why a move for Framber Valdez would be a game-changer.
Valdez is still sitting on the free agent market, and the Angels should be all over it. He’s a proven frontline starter with postseason experience, and while there are some character concerns, the upside is too high to ignore. A four-year deal in the $110 million range might get it done, and it would immediately elevate this rotation from average to playoff-caliber.
Behind Valdez, you’ve got a group of mid-rotation arms with upside. Yusei Kikuchi has been solid when healthy.
Jose Soriano flashed electric stuff last season. Reid Detmers continues to develop, and Grayson Rodriguez - if he can stay healthy - has the tools to be a top-of-the-rotation guy.
But again, it’s all about consistency. None of these pitchers have established themselves as reliable anchors, which is why adding a true No. 1 is so important.
Projected Bullpen (8)
Robert Stephenson, Drew Pomeranz, Kirby Yates, Jordan Romano, Jose Fermin, Kaleb Ort, Chase Silseth, Jayvien Sandridge
The bullpen, like the bench, is full of uncertainty.
Robert Stephenson has the stuff to be a high-leverage arm, but durability is a concern. Drew Pomeranz and Kirby Yates are veterans nearing the end of the line - the Angels are hoping there’s still something left in the tank.
Jordan Romano is a potential closer option, but he’ll need to bounce back from some late-season struggles. Jose Fermin is a name to watch - the Angels are hoping he can take a leap forward and become a reliable middle-innings option.
Kaleb Ort and Chase Silseth are both out of minor league options, which likely gives them an edge heading into camp. Silseth, in particular, has shown flashes of being a valuable swingman, capable of starting or relieving as needed.
Jayvien Sandridge is one of several lottery tickets the Angels are hoping to cash in on. Others in that mix include Nick Sandlin, Miguel Castro, and Ryan Zeferjahn. At least one or two of these arms will likely break camp with the big-league club.
Ben Joyce is the X-factor. If he’s fully recovered from shoulder surgery, his triple-digit fastball could be a weapon late in games. But that’s a big “if” until he proves he’s back.
Final Thoughts
The Angels are in a familiar spot: talented enough to dream, flawed enough to worry. There’s a pathway to contention here, especially if the front office makes one more big move - like landing Framber Valdez. But even without that, this is a team that could surprise if key players stay healthy and the young core takes a step forward.
Still, for a franchise that’s spent much of the last decade chasing its potential, the pressure is on. The pieces are there. Now it’s time to see if they fit.