As the Angels gear up for the season, their rotation is shaping up with some intriguing storylines. Yusei Kikuchi, José Soriano, and Reid Detmers are locked in, but the final two spots are still up for grabs. Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah, both offseason pickups, started as favorites but have had a rocky start.
Rodriguez, coming back from shoulder issues, has shown promising velocity, hitting 95 mph on his fastball. However, his performance has been uneven, allowing seven runs with a 7:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio over eight innings.
Manoah, a former Cy Young finalist, has struggled even more, with five runs allowed, eight walks, and just four strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings. His fastball is in the 91-92 mph range, down from his pre-surgery days when he averaged 93-94 mph.
Both pitchers still have minor league options, and Manoah’s challenges might see him starting the season in the minors. This opens up opportunities for others like Jack Kochanowicz and Sam Aldegheri.
Kochanowicz had a tough MLB season last year, posting a 6.81 ERA. Yet, he's been more effective in camp, allowing just two runs in 8 2/3 innings with a solid ground ball rate. This could be enough to edge out Manoah for a rotation spot.
Aldegheri, a promising prospect, has shown flashes of potential despite a 6.41 ERA in his first big league appearances. He impressed with a 3.78 ERA in Triple-A and a standout performance for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, where he struck out eight over 4 2/3 scoreless innings against Brazil.
Other contenders have faced their own hurdles. Mitch Farris has seen a slight velocity increase but has been hit hard, allowing 12 runs in six innings. Caden Dana is recovering from mononucleosis, and prospects like Walbert Ureña and Victor Mederos are still finding their footing.
Despite these challenges, the Angels haven’t pursued major free agent upgrades. Lucas Giolito remains the most notable unsigned starter, but the Angels seem to be looking internally to fill their rotation needs. It’s a gamble, but one that could pay off if their young arms step up.