The Angels have entirely transformed their starting rotation for 2025, moving on from disappointing fixture results and bringing new talent onboard. This revamped unit aims to improve on last year’s dismal showing drastically. With Yusei Kikuchi leading the charge and young talent like Jack Kochanowicz emerging, there’s renewed hope in Anaheim.
The Transformation of the Angels’ Starting Five
The Angels’ rotation has undergone a dramatic makeover heading into 2025. Gone are underperforming starters like Griffin Canning and Patrick Sandoval, who contributed to last year’s struggles. In their place, the team has brought in Yusei Kikuchi and Kyle Hendricks to provide talent and veteran leadership.
If the coaching staff and front office had paid close attention to the latest Angels baseball lines, they would have been well aware of the importance of aligning their roster decisions with the growing momentum around the team’s upgraded rotation.
Perhaps the most surprising recent development was Jack Kochanowicz winning the fifth starter role over Reid Detmers during spring training. The 24-year-old sinkerballer impressed the coaching staff with his performance, building on his brief but promising showing in 2024.
This complete overhaul represents the Angels’ commitment to addressing their most glaring weakness from recent seasons. After ranking 28th in MLB with a collective 4.56 ERA in 2024, the team needed a fresh approach on the mound.
Yusei Kikuchi: An Emerging Ace
When the Angels signed Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year, $63 million contract, many baseball fans scratched their heads. After all, this was a pitcher with a career 4.57 ERA over seven seasons. Why invest your ace money in a seemingly middle-of-the-road starter?
The answer lies in Kikuchi’s transformation with the Houston Astros after last year’s midseason trade. In just 60 innings with Houston, Kikuchi posted an impressive 2.70 ERA, looking like a completely different pitcher.
Fans and analysts following FanDuel’s MLB matchup previews have already taken note of Kikuchi’s evolving pitch arsenal, which now includes an impressive sweeper to complement the slider that was unlocked last season. This expanded repertoire gives him multiple weapons to keep hitters off balance.
For the Angels, Kikuchi’s goal is clear: harness his improved performance and utilize it wisely to generate ace-level performance. If he continues on this upward trajectory, he could provide the Angels with something they’ve lacked for years—a reliable top-of-the-rotation starter.
Jose Soriano: Power and Durability
Even with Kikuchi’s potential, much of the Angels’ success hinges on Jose Soriano’s powerful right arm. In 2024, the 26-year-old showcased his brilliance by posting a 3.42 ERA across 20 starts in only 113 innings.
Soriano’s injury history is concerning. His path to the majors included two Tommy John surgeries, and he initially debuted as a reliever in 2023 before transitioning to the rotation.
What makes Soriano special is his electric stuff. His arsenal features:
- A four-seam fastball and sinker with a top speed of 98 mph
- A wicked knuckle curve
- An exceptional 59.7% ground ball rate
Despite these impressive tools, Soriano’s strikeout rate (7.91 K/9) was relatively modest last season. There’s room for improvement there, but his primary goal for 2025 is simply staying healthy.
Outlook for the 2025 Season
Realistically, the Angels’ rotation has the potential to be significantly better than last year’s group, though expectations should remain measured. If everything breaks right—Kikuchi pitches like an ace, Soriano stays healthy, Anderson finds consistency, Hendricks provides stability, and Kochanowicz develops—this could be a league-average or slightly better unit.
That might not sound exciting, but it would represent a massive step forward for a franchise that has struggled to develop and maintain quality starting pitching for years.
The team does have depth options if injuries occur. Reid Detmers narrowly missed out on the fifth starter role and could step in if needed. Other young arms in the system provide additional insurance.
Early indicators to watch will be Kikuchi’s performance with his new sweeper, Soriano’s velocity and health, and Kochanowicz’s ability to miss bats. If these trends are positive, Angels fans might have reason for optimism about their rotation for the first time in years.
