Look, being an Angels fan is basically a masterclass in managing expectations. We’ve all been through the "pitching is coming" cycle more times than we can count. But as we stare down the 2026 season, things actually look... different? Not "dynasty" different, but definitely "competent major league staff" different. Honestly, if you’d told me a year ago that the Halos would have a rotation headlined by a Japanese lefty vet and a high-upside trade acquisition from Baltimore, I’d have asked which video game you were playing.
But here we are.
Predicting the Los Angeles Angels probable pitchers for the upcoming season isn't just about looking at a depth chart. It’s about understanding the health gambles Perry Minasian has taken. This isn't the Shohei-and-everyone-else era anymore. It’s a group of guys who, on paper, should keep the team in games. Whether the bullpen can actually hold those leads is a different conversation for a darker day.
The Projected Five: Who Takes the Hill?
The 2026 rotation seems surprisingly set for a team that usually spends January scouring the waiver wire for "innings eaters." Barring a catastrophic spring—which, let's be real, is always on the table—the five-man unit looks like a blend of established floor and terrifyingly high ceiling.
1. Yusei Kikuchi (LHP)
Kikuchi is the "ace" by default, and honestly, he deserves the nod. He was one of the few bright spots last year, providing a steady veteran presence. He’s dealing with some minor forearm tightness as of mid-January, but the team expects him to be ready for the start of the season. When he’s on, that slider is devastating. When he’s not, well, you’ve seen the long balls. He’s the anchor.
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2. Grayson Rodriguez (RHP)
This is the one that gets people excited. Acquired in the Taylor Ward trade, "G-Rod" is the ultimate wild card. He missed all of 2025 with elbow bone spurs, which sounds scary because it is. However, he’s already throwing bullpen sessions this January. If he regains that 2023 form, the Angels finally have a frontline starter. He has the "stuff" to be a top-10 pitcher in the American League, but that elbow is a massive if.
3. José Soriano (RHP)
Soriano is basically a human flamethrower. He took a massive leap forward last season, even with some weird home/away splits that saw him struggle more in the Big A. He just settled his 2026 contract to avoid arbitration, so the business side is handled. If he can refine his command—stop walking the leadoff guy, please—he’s a legitimate middle-of-the-rotation monster.
4. Reid Detmers (LHP)
The Reid Detmers experience is a rollercoaster. One week he looks like Sandy Koufax, the next he’s struggling to get through four innings in Salt Lake City. He spent a good chunk of time in Triple-A recently to "find himself," and the 2026 ZiPS projections are surprisingly kind to him. They see him as a reliable backend starter. For the Angels, "reliable" is a luxury.
5. Alek Manoah (RHP)
This is the reclamation project of all reclamation projects. Remember when Manoah was a Cy Young finalist? It feels like a decade ago. The Angels are betting that a change of scenery and a low-pressure environment can fix whatever went wrong in Toronto. He’s competing with young gun Caden Dana for this spot, but the veteran pedigree usually wins out on Opening Day.
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The "Next Man Up" and the Bullpen Bridge
If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that you need 10 starters to get through 162 games. The Los Angeles Angels probable pitchers list grows quickly once the inevitable 15-day IL stints start piling up.
Caden Dana is the name every prospect junkie is watching. He’s 22, he’s got a big frame, and he doesn't seem rattled by the bright lights. If Manoah falters or G-Rod needs an extra day of rest, Dana is the first phone call. Behind him, you’ve got guys like Sam Aldegheri and Jack Kochanowicz, though Kochanowicz had a rough 2025 (that ERA was... not pretty).
The bullpen transition is where things get spicy. Kirby Yates is back, and while he’s pushing 40, the guy still knows how to miss bats. The real story, though, is the health of the high-leverage arms:
- Robert Stephenson: Coming off elbow inflammation, expected to be a full go for Spring Training.
- Ben Joyce: The man who throws 105 mph. He had shoulder surgery in May. He’s throwing again, but the team is being ultra-cautious. If he’s healthy, the 8th inning belongs to him.
- Jordan Romano: A veteran addition designed to give Ron Washington some actual options late in games.
Why the 2026 Projections Are... Cautious
If you look at the ZiPS or PECOTA projections coming out this month, nobody is picking the Angels to win 95 games. Most models have them in the 72 to 75-win range. Why? Because the depth is paper-thin.
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The rotation is "adequate" if everyone stays healthy. But look at the history here. Grayson Rodriguez is coming off a lost year. Kikuchi is 34. Detmers has been inconsistent. If two of these guys go down in May, you’re looking at a rotation filled with waiver claims and exhausted minor leaguers. The drop-off from the #5 starter to the #6 is a cliff.
Also, we have to talk about the defense. A pitcher is only as good as the guys behind him. With Anthony Rendon’s status always in "possible retirement/long-term IL" limbo and a young middle infield of Zach Neto and Christian Moore, there’s going to be some growing pains. Neto is a stud—extending him was the smartest move the front office made this winter—but Moore is still learning the speed of the big-league game.
What to Watch for in Tempe
Spring Training at Tempe Diablo Stadium is going to be a pitching laboratory. When the Angels start announcing their Los Angeles Angels probable pitchers for those early Cactus League games, keep your eyes on the velocity charts.
If Ben Joyce is hitting 102 effortlessly, that’s a win. If Grayson Rodriguez is sitting 96-97 with his fastball, the trade was a success. If Alek Manoah is throwing strikes, maybe there’s hope for a Wild Card run.
The Angels aren't trying to outspend the Dodgers anymore. They’re trying to out-develop the rest of the AL West. It’s a slow process, and it’s often painful to watch, but for the first time in a while, the starting five doesn't look like a total disaster. It looks like a foundation.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Analysts
- Monitor the January Bullpen Sessions: Watch the beat reports (specifically Rhett Bollinger or Jeff Fletcher) for updates on Grayson Rodriguez. If he hits a "setback" in January, the whole 2026 outlook shifts.
- Watch the 5th Spot Battle: Don't assume Manoah has it locked. If Caden Dana dominates in Spring, Washington might go with the youth movement early to save Manoah’s arm for a long-relief role.
- Keep an Eye on the Waiver Wire: The Angels still have some flexibility after restructuring the Rendon deal. Don't be surprised if they snag a veteran "swingman" late in February to provide a safety net for the rotation.
- Fantasy Value Check: José Soriano is the "sleeper" pick here. His strikeout upside is massive, and if the Angels defense improves even slightly, his ERA could plummet into the mid-3s.
The 2026 season won't be easy, but at least the mound won't be a total mystery. For now, the plan is clear: ride the veterans, pray for the youngsters' elbows, and hope the offense scores enough to make those quality starts matter.