Wednesday, April 02

ANAHEIM -- The Angels are coming off a tough season that saw them lose 99 games, but general manager Perry Minasian believes the organization will be better for it as it continues to build a young core to develop a consistent winner.

With the growth of the club’s young players and the additions of several key veterans this offseason, the Angels are on a upward trajectory but aren’t expected to be contenders just yet. Minasian, however, believes the club is on the right path under Ron Washington in his second year managing the club.

The season opens on Thursday against the White Sox in Chicago at 1:10 p.m. PT.

“I believe we're better than we were last year,” Minasian said. “We brought in a lot of veteran players that have accomplished a lot of things in their career. And being in a clubhouse for 37-38 years of my life, I'm big on our young core, which is obviously very, very important to us, being surrounded with the right guys.”

One big change this season is the move of superstar Mike Trout from center field to right field in an effort to keep him healthy. He has had trouble staying on the field in recent years but said he has enjoyed the transition and believes the organization is heading in the right direction.

“Oh, no doubt,” Trout said. “You saw what [the young players] were able to do last year. And we were able to make some new additions. We’re really excited about it.”

What needs to go right?
The young core has to continue to develop under mentorship of veterans

The Angels have a young core made up of such players as Zach Neto, Logan O’Hoppe, Nolan Schanuel, Ben Joyce, José Soriano, Reid Detmers, Jack Kochanowicz, Jo Adell and Mickey Moniak -- and they’re going to need them all to produce if they are going to be a surprise contender. The Angels brought in such veterans as Yusei Kikuchi, Jorge Soler, Kyle Hendricks, Kenley Jansen and Travis d’Arnaud. Their production and ability to lead will be important as well.

Great unknown
Can Trout stay healthy?
It has been a while since Trout, a three-time AL MVP and 11-time All-Star, has been healthy. His last full season came back in 2019. He was limited to 29 games last year after tearing his meniscus in his left knee twice but is currently healthy and is making the transition from center field to right field. The Angels are hopeful that will help keep him on the field. The 33-year-old is under contract through 2030.

Team MVP will be …
Trout

Neto was the club’s best player in 2024 but will open the season on the injured list, so it’s difficult to pick anyone but Trout. He’s still one of the best players in the world, when healthy, and the Angels remain hopeful that this is the year he stays on the field and produces at an MVP-level again. But if Trout can’t stay healthy, Neto is the best bet to lead the club in wins above replacement because he’s a complete player who adds value at the plate, in the field and on the bases.

Team Cy Young will be ...
Soriano
Soriano is due for a breakout season after he fared well in his first year as a starter last season, posting a 3.42 ERA in 113 innings over 22 outings (20 starts). His power sinker can reach triple-digits and averaged 97.7 mph. It allows him to get quick outs via grounders, and he also has a knuckle-curve and a splitter. Soriano’s next step is improving his four-seamer, which he can elevate against hitters looking for his sinker to increase his strikeout totals. 

Bold prediction
Christian Moore wins AL Rookie of the Year
Moore, who was drafted last year as the No. 8 overall pick, isn’t expected to make the Opening Day roster but he’s considered close to reaching the Majors. The second baseman dominated at the University of Tennessee and in the Minor Leagues last year and would have been a late season callup if he didn’t sustain a minor knee injury. The 22-year-old had a solid spring, although he didn’t display as much power as he did last year. It would be a huge boost for the organization, as the Angels would also receive a compensatory Draft pick as part of the prospect promotion incentive.

Who was the last Angels player to start consecutive Opening Days at second base

A. Howie Kendrick
B. Luis Rengifo
C. David Fletcher
D. Tommy La Stella

While the Angels are done with the Arizona portion of their Spring Training schedule, they played their first Freeway Series game against the Dodgers on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. Now the series comes to Angel Stadium for two games on Monday at 6:07 p.m. PT and Tuesday at 6:07 p.m.

The Angels otherwise open the year mostly away from Anaheim. Five of their first six series are on the road because of a schedule change with the Rays to play in better weather in Tampa in April. But the home opener is on Friday, April 4, against the Guardians in the start of a three-game set. Single-game tickets are available at mlb.com/angels/tickets/single-game-tickets.

The Angels swung a trade just days before Opening Day, acquiring right-hander Ian Anderson from the Braves in exchange for lefty José Suarez on Sunday. Suarez was projected to be a long reliever, but Anderson will now fill that role and could be a spot starter, as well. Like Suarez, Anderson has had success in the Majors but has struggled in recent years. Anderson is a former top prospect who had a 3.58 ERA in 24 starts in 2021 but hasn't pitched in the Majors since posting a 5.00 ERA in 22 starts in '22.

D. La Stella, who started on Opening Day at the position in 2019 and ’20.

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