[XxVols98xX]

As we enter the 2025 campaign, one thing is perfectly clear: this team will go as far as the starting rotation takes it. Under my leadership, we’ve committed to building the Angels around pitching—high stuff, dependable movement, and enough control to make it all play. The starters set the tone for the entire identity of our club, and this spring has given us our first detailed look at how this group fits that mold.

Below is the official preseason breakdown of the Angels’ starting rotation.

1. José Soriano – The Power Ace in the Making

When you think about the archetype I build around—high stuff, above-average movement, workable control—José Soriano checks every box.

Stuff: 50/50

Movement: 60/60

Control: 45/45

Velocity: 98–100 mph

Pitch Mix: Fastball/Slider/Curveball/Sinker/Splitter

Tendency: Extreme Groundballer

Soriano’s elite movement and turbocharged fastball make him the most exciting arm in the rotation. He generates groundballs at an extreme rate and has the kind of velocity that forces hitters into defensive swings.

The control isn’t perfect, but his profile fits our model: overpower hitters, keep the ball in the ballpark, and let strong defense up the middle finish the job. With his very low development risk and a 55 potential, Soriano is positioned to become one of the Angels’ foundational arms for years to come.

Expect him to set the tone every fifth day.

2. Yusei Kikuchi – The Veteran Stabilizer

Every rotation needs reliability, and that’s exactly what our veteran left-hander brings.

Stuff: 55/55

Movement: 45/45

Control: 50/50

Velocity: 96–98 mph

Pitch Mix: Fastball/Slider/Curveball/Changeup

Kikuchi is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, and his role for us is simple: bridge experience with power. His stuff plays well, his control is comfortably above our baseline, and his work ethic fits the culture we’re building.

He’s not the long-term answer, but he is the perfect present-day one, giving us stability and innings while our younger arms continue developing.

3. Reid Detmers – The Breakout Candidate

Detmers represents the ideal blend of stuff, movement, and improving command we value in this organization.

Stuff: 50/55

Movement: 50/50

Control: 45/55

Velocity: 94–96 mph

The big development here is Detmers’ projected control growth. If he reaches the mid-50s, he’ll become a borderline front-line arm. He flashes the kind of swing-and-miss stuff that thrives in our system and has already delivered extended stretches of dominance in previous seasons.

His stamina is solid, his hold-runners rating is elite, and at just 25 years old, he fits perfectly into our long-term core.

The breakout is coming—it’s just a matter of how quickly.

4. Jack Kochanowicz – The Homegrown Wild Card

Few pitchers in our organization match Kochanowicz’s blend of size, sink, and control.

Stuff: 40/40

Movement: 50/55

Control: 55/60

Velocity: 96–98 mph

Tendency: Extreme Groundballer

This is exactly the exception I make in rotation building: elite control arms who compensate for lower stuff with movement and command.

Kochanowicz pounds the zone, limits home runs, and gets the ball on the ground. With our defensive emphasis—especially up the middle—he’s a natural fit. His low development risk and steady growth track make him one of the most intriguing arms in the rotation.

He may not light up radar guns like Soriano, but he might out-pitch him some nights.

5. Tyler Anderson – The Mentor, Bridge, and Safety Net

Anderson fills the final spot, offering veteran presence and reliability while younger arms continue to develop in the upper minors.

Stuff: 40/40

Movement: 45/45

Control: 50/50

While Anderson isn’t the high-stuff mold we normally prioritize, his above-average control and consistency give us a stabilizing fifth option. He’s here to provide innings, shepherd younger pitchers, and buy us time as our long-term rotation takes shape.

His presence keeps us from rushing prospects and gives the team a trustworthy back-end arm.

Rotation Outlook for 2025

This group is exactly the type of staff we’re trying to build:

Two power arms with high stuff and elite movement

Two command-driven arms who fit our exception rule

A veteran lefty duo to anchor the innings load

Three pitchers who can hit 96–100 mph

Multiple extreme groundballers who pair perfectly with our defensive philosophy

With a balanced mix of youth, upside, control, and raw power, this staff embodies the identity of our franchise.

The rotation is not just a group of five arms—it’s the foundation of the new Angels.