The Angels Opening Day Rotation Is Clear Now

A free agent signing that went well for the Angels, Kikuchi was the clear leader of the 2025 staff. He entered camp well ahead of schedule so he could pitch for Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

Kikuchi has averaged 32 starts per season the last three years and has pitched to a 3.97 ERA in 521.2 innings over that time. The Angels will need Kikuchi to be the steadying force in the rotation if they have any hope of playing meaningful games this summer.

Reid Detmers - LHP, 26, 1.3 bWAR, 108 ERA+

Drafted 10th overall in the 2020 draft as a polished, projectable starting pitcher Detmers has been inconsistent as a starter. At times he's looked great but at other times he's struggled. Last year a move to to the bullpen helped Detmers get into an attack mode and his results improved dramatically.

One of the few MLB pitchers to have both a no hitter and a save on his resume, Detmers returns to the rotation in 2026. He's been working on his curve ball and breaking pitches this Spring. His ERA in the Cactus League isn't pretty but Detmers was clearly working on his craft not trying to get results.

A lot is riding on Detmers being able to live up to his draft billing and become a solid piece of the rotation.

Ryan Johnson - RHP, 23, -0.8 bWAR, 59 ERA+

Posting Johnson's numbers from last year really isn't fair to the young righty. He skipped the minor leagues and made the Opening Day squad last year as a reliever. He got hit hard in 14.2 innings, particularly by lefties.

After dominating High A last season and working hard on adding movement to his pitches, Johnson looks a lot better in Spring Training this year. He adds some high upside and plus pitches to the Angels rotation.

Angels GM Perry Minasian says they are giving young players a chance this season. Johnson is one of many young arms who might be a part of the future for the Angels. He'll get his chance in the rotation to open the season.

Jack Kochanowicz - RHP, 25, -1.5 bWAR, 63 ERA+

Like Johnson, Kochanowicz was on the Angels roster to begin the 2025 season. However, Jack had spent four years in the minor leagues working his way up to the Major League level. A lack of strikeouts and propensity to give up the long ball led to Kochanowicz being sent back down to AAA after 111 innings of 6.81 ERA ball.

After refining some of his pitches, Kochanowicz showed up to Spring Training on the outside looking in but put up great numbers in the Cactus League. In 4 games Jack has pitched 13.2 innings with a stellar 1.98 ERA. Most importantly, he recorded 11 strikouts against only 4 walks in that span. He did surrender 2 home runs, though.

Kochanowicz and Johnson are both pitching to keep their MLB level jobs. Once Grayson Rodriguez is healthy and ready to go one will likely be sent down to AAA. But considering Rodriguez has an option remaining, if they both pitch well they could keep the higher profile Rodriguez in AAA as depth.