LA Angels 2026 Preview: Can Mike Trout Bounce Back To Keep Team From Another Losing Season

The LA Angels are most likely a 100-loss team this season. Star Mike Trout played 130 games for them last year, his highest total since 2019. However, he is now showing his age. “Father Time” is undefeated. There are some young stars on the team, but not enough to make much of a difference.

The new acquisitions of Grayson Rodriguez, Drew Pomeranz, and Jordan Romano bolster the pitching staff somewhat. However, those acquisitions for the LA Angels do little to improve the team’s fortune. How many games do you think the Angels will win this year?

LA Angels 2026 Preview

Pitching

Yusei Kikuchi is the ace of the starting pitching staff for the LA Angels. However, he is not good enough to earn that distinction. The lefty is durable, but has diminished stuff. Jose Soriano has a mid-90s sinker and a host of secondary pitches. He is a serviceable second starter. Reid Detmers is a hittable left-handed pitcher who was so bad last year that he was moved to the bullpen. Grayson Rodriguez is the fourth starter. Alek Manoah is the fifth starter. They are similar in that they have great potential if they can come back from injuries.

In the bullpen, Kirby Yates is the closer, taking over from Kenley Jansen. Yates is approaching 40. He has lost velocity and has poor results from last year to show for it. Pomeranz and Romano will set him up. Ryan Zeferjahn has a closer-type velocity, approaching 100 MPH. However, he struggles with control. Chase Silseth and Brent Suter are currently in the bullpen, though there is a high likelihood we will see a variety of arms at the back of the bullpen.

Hitting

The pitching for the LA Angels will be weak, the hitting will be a little better, a little. The story is not good at catcher. Logan O’Hoppe, the starter, has declined both offensively and defensively. His backup, Travis d’Arnaud, is average, at best. The infield has Nolan Schanuel at first base. He is more of a contact hitter than a power hitter.

At second base for the LA Angels, Christian Moore debuted last year, just one year after he was drafted from college. The shortstop is Zach Neto. He has been a 20/20 player the past two seasons. His high contact rate and exit velocity suggest he could improve further. The third baseman is a former top prospect, Yoan Moncada. Now a veteran, he has never lived up to his promise. Former Dodger Chris Taylor and former Yankee Oswald Peraza provide backup.

In the outfield, Josh Lowe, from the Tampa Bay Rays, and Jo Adell man the corners, and the venerable Trout plans to play center. Adell hit 37 home runs last season. The major question is whether Trout will stay healthy enough to play enough games in center. Trout could end up at designated hitter, but right now that spot is occupied by Jorge Soler. Soler played only 82 games last year.

Management

Owner Arte Moreno has shown over the years that he is willing to spend on free agents. This penchant has often backfired and has come at the expense of player development. General Manager Perry Minasian is in the final year of his contract. The new manager is Kurt Suzuki. The former catcher is on a one-year trial. He was hired over, among others, Albert Pujols.

Parting Shots

The LA Angels are not very good. They could lose 100 games. That could spell an exit for the new manager and the general manager. With good teams such as the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros in the division, this could be a long season for the Angels.