ANAHEIM -- One of the top priorities for the Angels this offseason was to improve a rotation that had the third-worst ERA in the Majors and walked the most batters in baseball last season.
So far with Spring Training just two weeks away, the Angels traded for right-hander Grayson Rodriguez and signed right-hander Alek Manoah to a one-year deal worth $1.95 million. Both have had success in the past -- Rodriguez has a career 4.11 ERA in 238 2/3 innings and Manoah was an All-Star in '22 -- but neither pitched last year due to injury. Rodriguez underwent surgery to remove bone spurs in his elbow, while Manoah was coming off Tommy John surgery and made 10 rehab appearances in the Minors.
The good news is that both are healthy with pitchers and catchers set for the first workouts on Feb. 11. But they don’t offer much certainty to a rotation that includes right-hander José Soriano and lefties Reid Detmers and Yusei Kikuchi. Both could certainly make the rotation out of Spring Training but it would be hard to count on them for a full season.
Of course, the Angels could still sign or trade for another starter before the start of the season, which would be a huge boost, but as of now, here’s a look at their other internal rotation options:
RHP Caden Dana
Dana, 22, has shown some flashes of potential in his first two seasons in the Majors but ultimately has a career 7.17 ERA with 41 strikeouts, 25 walks and 14 homers in 42 2/3 innings. This will be a big year for him, as he has the stuff but will be tasked with putting it all together.
LHP Sam Aldegheri
The 24-year-old Italy native has also had a tough time in his first two tastes of the big leagues, posting a 6.41 ERA with 22 strikeouts and 20 walks in 26 2/3 innings. But his Minor League numbers remain encouraging and he looks like a potential back-end starter if he can cut down on his walks.
RHP Jack Kochanowicz
After a promising rookie campaign in ’24, Kochanowicz went through the dreaded sophomore slump with a 6.81 ERA, 72 strikeouts and 58 walks in 111 innings. He seemed to get away from his strength of being a sinkerball specialist and saw a huge jump in his walk rate. The 25-year-old has to prove he can remain an effective starter, as there’s a chance he could move to the bullpen.
RHP Victor Mederos
Mederos overhauled his mechanics last season and had a strong year at Triple-A Salt Lake to earn three starts down the stretch, allowing 12 runs in 13 innings before getting shut down with right shoulder inflammation. But he’s back on the radar after he showed better control and had a 3.41 ERA in 103 innings in the Minors last year.
LHP Mitch Farris
The 24-year-old put up impressive strikeout totals at Double-A Rocket City, posting a 4.27 ERA with 142 strikeouts and 55 walks in 116 innings. He made five starts with the Angels, registering a 6.66 ERA with 24 strikeouts and 11 walks in 24 1/3 innings. His fastball averages only 90 mph but he’s deceptive and offers depth.
RHP George Klassen
Klassen, 24, has a fastball that has reached triple-digits and has learned to harness his stuff. He had a 5.22 ERA with 134 strikeouts and 47 walks in 108 2/3 innings but dealt with a scary situation after being hit in the head by a comebacker. But he finished healthy and is considered one of the organization’s more exciting arms with a chance to make his debut at some point in ’26.
RHP Ryan Johnson
Johnson made the club out of Spring Training last year as a reliever despite no professional experience after being drafted in ’24. But after some scuffles with a 7.36 ERA, he went back to High-A Tri-City to become a starter and had a 1.88 ERA in 57 1/3 innings. The 23-year-old will need more seasoning in the Minors but could pitch his way back up to the Majors in a hurry.
RHP Walbert Urena
Added to the 40-man roster this offseason, Urena, 22, has plus-stuff and had a 4.34 ERA with 125 strikeouts and 73 walks in 141 innings across Double-A and Triple-A last year. He’s considered close to reaching the big leagues and is likely to start the season at Triple-A.
RHP Tyler Bremner
Bremner, the No. 2 overall pick in last year’s Draft, will be in big league camp after not pitching professionally last year. The 21-year-old has a plus-plus changeup and is expected to move through the system quickly.