Inside the Angels’ Rotation: Why It Could Work
Apr 19, 2025 - Written by Zac Holladay
Photo Credit : @MLBTradeRumors - X
In these first games of 2025, the Angels rotation and bullpen has been really solid and has given the team every chance to win. As of right now, the Angels have a record over .500 and are playing excellent baseball. There are multiple bright spots to highlight and mark for a big season to come. But it is only the first 2 and a half weeks of the season and we all know expectations shouldn’t be made over such a small sample size. Although the rotation hasn’t played a full season, there are many positives to the starting 5.
Yusei Kikuchi
Yusei Kikuchi was the big get for the Angels this season and he is serving as the Angels “ace” as of right now. Although he hasn’t showcased his best stuff in his first 3 starts in the red and white, he will only get better from here. His mechanics in Houston last year were tweaked to perfection and displayed electric performances night after night. But as usual for someone who has made the change from multiple organizations, it will take him time to get a feel for the team and for his nasty stuff. He has great strikeout stuff but has struggled to avoid the one “big inning”. As of now, all he needs is time and nothing more which could start by limiting the home run ball. Overall, it is a good sign for the team when your best pitcher is your worst to start the year because the guys behind him have done nothing short of impressive.
So far: 24.0 IP 4.13 ERA 11 ER 22 K’s 10 BB’s
José Soriano
One of the most underrated pitchers in the league, José Soriano, has looked very efficient ever since he has been in the starting role for the Angels. Due to his sinker that can reach up to 99mph, his ground ball game is his specialty with decent strikeout potential in his game. He has had trouble controlling the strike zone as of late and can’t finish off batters when he needs to. Although, he has been efficient with the management of his pitch count and is capable of giving you 6-7 innings. Soriano is just getting warmed up and is shaping up to be a fantastic #2 starter for this Angels rotation. The stuff and talent is there and us fans are just waiting for him to fully break out into the star that he can be.
So Far: 25.2 IP 3.16 ERA 9 ER 20 K’s 10 BB’s
Jack Kochanowicz
Very similar to Soriano, Jack Kochanowicz is a ground ball reliant pitcher with a nasty sinker. Unlike Soriano, he is a big specimen, standing at 6 '7 who has a large stride to the plate. Kochanowicz isn’t a strikeout guy which allows him to maintain a very manageable pitch count. He has the potential to go deep into games and give the Angels pitching staff some much needed innings. His ability to get quick outs and keep hitters off their timings is key to his success. Along with the ability to get quick outs, he can sometimes rush and miss his spots consistently. Although his ERA is high as of now, he will continue to eat up innings. He won’t be a name that will be up there as the best in the league, but Jack is a guy that the Angels can rely on to keep the offense in the game.
So Far: 20.1 IP 6.20 ERA 14 ER 10 K’s 7 BB’s
Tyler Anderson
The reigning representative of the Angels in the All-Star Game has a completely new role in 2025. Tyler Anderson is now the 4th starter in the rotation but yet doesn’t need to prove much to the team. His location hasn’t been 100% in the early going, but he has maintained the average stats. His role with the ballclub will be without nearly as much pressure as last year as he won’t have to be the team’s best pitcher. As is the same with most everyone, Anderson is coming off an impeccable start last night and is still just heating up as he had a better feel for his location, which will likely continue to progress as the season continues.
So Far: 21.2 IP 2.08 ERA 5 ER 21 K’s 12 BB’s
Kyle Hendricks
One of the most risky signings of the offseason is looking to prove all the naysayers wrong this season. Kyle Hendricks came onto the team having all the fans wondering why he was not only signed by the team, but was put in the starting rotation. But, after a very short sample size, he has impressed all. It could go down as the most underrated moves that the Angels made this last offseason by signing Hendricks. The influence that the team had on Tyler Anderson is so important for Hendricks as Anderson has the most similar stuff to him. They both use the soft fastball and the multitude of changeups to keep hitters off balance. And so far Hendricks has shown that he can be very effective in this rotation showcasing some of the best numbers out of the 5 starters.
So Far: 15 IP 4.20 ERA 7 ER 9 K’s 5 BB’s
The ability for this rotation to get a quality start is a good bet against anyone they face. They will have their spit ups now and then, but if they can pitch the way they have lately, this team will be as solid as they have ever been in the last decade. This is the exact problem that every Angels team has faced in the last decade and this team may have figured something out with these 5 guys. While this isn’t a starting rotation that will stand out above the rest, it will catch your eye if everything goes like it is as of now. It has been proven that a playoff team doesn’t need to consist of a loaded staff as long as they get the minimum done. So we will see where this team goes into the 4th rotation around and beyond. But for now, this staff is something to acknowledge after a dark past of struggling starting pitching.
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