2026 Angels Final Roster Predictions
November 14, 2025 - Written by Jacob Firmage
Kazuma Okamoto has the highest AIR% in NPB since 2021 at 67.3% (min. 1600 PA).
— Yakyu Cosmopolitan (@yakyucosmo) October 22, 2025
He also pulls it consistently and has a very similar batted ball profile to Seiya Suzuki.
Okamoto's estimated launch angle this season was 17.5°. Suzuki's was 17.9°.pic.twitter.com/lqk5szaFg4
We have made multiple attempts at free agency predictions. Now with the GM Meetings behind us, we have some insight on the Angels. They will be focused on starting pitching primarily. Per Robert Murray of Fansided, the Angels will possibly have a little extra to spend than expected. They have the makings of a very good coaching staff, should the players buy in. With Mr. Murray eluding to possibly having more money, we will raise our budget from 25-35 million to 30-40 million. I plan to use the whole forty and possibly more if I can clear some salary. We will see how accurate that is, but here we dive in for my final predictions before the offseason takes off now that the groundwork and tire kicking has taken place.
Catcher
At Catcher we stick with our initial prediction. No need to change what seems locked in here. Logan O’Hoppe gets the majority of starts, working with a personalized catching coach, with Travis d’Arnaud getting the bulk of spot starts at Catcher and potentially some at 1B.
Prediction in 1.0 and 2.0: O’Hoppe as starter with d’Arnaud as backup
First Base
I almost moved him to left field in this prediction round. I just couldn’t find a financial fit for first base or left to keep Matthew Lugo in AAA or on the bench. Nolan Schanuel holds this spot, and while I feel he is a lock for opening day, the position I am less than sure of.
Prediction in 1.0 and 2.0: Schanuel is starting at first base.
Second Base
At 2nd base the Angels rely on former first round pick Christian Moore to take a big step forward, with Denzer Guzman and others on bench in relief at times.
Prediction in 1.0 and 2.0: Moore seizes the starting 2B job.
Shortstop
Zach Neto… EXTEND HIM NOW. Next question.
Prediction in 1.0 and 2.0: Zach Neto. I am not changing anything here.
Third Base
For 3rd base we go big. This is the largest move for the Angels in length and total dollars. The Angels add Kazuma Okamoto on a 4 year 60-million-dollar deal. He along with Yusei Kikuchi brings in new sponsorships from Japan while bringing a potentially impact bat to 3rd base for the first time in years.
Prediction in 1.0: Angels ink Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a 1-year contract.
Prediction in 2.0: Angels trade for Nolan Arenado.
Left Field
There have been a few reports, one by Rodger Lodge that the Angels are unlikely to trade Taylor Ward or Jo Adell. That being said, with him fairly locked in with Angels moves, I place Ward back into Left Field entering the 2026 season.
Prediction in 1.0: Ward Keeps is spot in LF.
Prediction in 2.0: Matthew Lugo gets a shot in LF.
Center Field
Jo Adell was not at his best defensively in center field in 2025. But every time we doubt him, he finds a way to improve and become a bit better. He doesn’t have to be elite in centerfield if his power remains. But in a role where he can slide back and forth between center and right depending on platoon splits, we give him the starting nod.
Prediction in 1.0: Angels swing big and trade for Michael Harris II of the Braves.
Prediction in 2.0: Angels sign Cedric Mullins to a 1-year deal.
Right Field
Michael Conforto had a terrible year at the plate on the surface. He was one player we all expected to have a great year for the Dodgers, and he fell face first. But his expected numbers were a .240/.341/.428 roughly speaking. There is major room for improvement in a much less stressful situation, bringing a left-handed complement to the lineup but in situations of late game he comes off field. Bryce Teodosio takes over in CF and Adell slides over.
Prediction in 1.0 and 2.0: Adell holds his spot in RF.
Designated Hitter
I don’t feel the need to change this one, as with injuries being big part of Mike Trout at this point of his career, his bat brings more value than his defense which struggled even more in right this last season.
Prediction in 1.0 and 2.0: Mike Trout stays hitting daily with very little field play.
Bench
We return to our first prediction here with Teodosio, d’Arnaud, Oswald Peraza and Kyren Paris for the bench in 2025. It is largely cheap and fully rostered.
Prediction in 1.0: Teodosio, d’Arnaud, Peraza and Paris
Prediction in 2.0: Guzman, Teodosio, d’Arnaud and Peraza
Starting Rotation
Yusei Kikuchi – Coming off a quality first year of his contract with the Angels, Kikuchi holds a locked in spot entering 2026.
José Soriano – For the ups and downs he like Kikuchi should not be in question for 2026.
Tyler Mahle is a favorite of Mike Maddux, and the type of mid-rotation upgrade that could provide some upside for the Angels dependent on health. He may end up with 3 years, but with injuries I think he may even get stuck with another 1-year deal.
Reid Detmers – Perry Minasian has since announced that Reid will return to the rotation locking in this spot in the rotation.
Patrick Corbin had a bounce back year to a sub 5.00 ERA in 2025. But what he did do was eat 150+ innings. He has a history with Suzuki being part of the 2019 World Series team. He is a veteran who should be able to bring leadership to the team. He is the type of high character player Perry grabs every year.
Prediction in 1.0: Yusei Kikuchi, Jose Soriano, Dustin May, Marcus Stroman and Caden Dana
Prediction in 2.0: Yusei Kikuchi, Jose Soriano, Brady Singer, Reid Detmers and Adrian Houser
Bullpen
The Angels will add to their bullpen in 2025. But it won’t be a large move in Tommy Kahnle. We retain Kenley Jansen. We rely on internal development and continued success from some veterans with Maddux leading the teams pitching progress.
Prediction in 3.0: Kenley Jansen, Tommy Kahnle, Brock Burke, Chase Silseth, Sam Bachman, Ryan Johnson, Ryan Zeferjahn and Cody Laweryson
Prediction in 1.0: Kenley Jansen, Ryan Zeferjahn, Brock Burke, Chase Silseth, Sam Bachman, Reid Detmers, Ryan Johnson and Robert Stephenson
Prediction in 2.0: Kenley Jansen, Kyle Finnegan, Brock Burke, Chase Silseth, Orion Kerkering, Sam Bachman, Ryan Johnson and Sam Aldegheri
Offseason Major League Moves
Signing Kenley Jansen 1 year 11 million dollars
Trade Jorge Soler and 7 million dollars to the Marlins in exchange for Matthew Etzel. Angels pick up a speedy 4th outfield type and save 6 million dollars.
Angels Sign Tommy Kahnle 1 year 5 million dollars
Angels sign Tyler Mahle 2-year 34 million dollars.
Angels trade Robert Stephenson, Denzer Guzman and 4-million dollars to the Mets for a PTBNL saving 7 million dollars.
Angels sign Patrick Corbin 1 year 5 million dollars.
Angels sign Michael Conforto 1 year 5 million dollars
Angels sign Kazuma Okamoto to a 4-year 60-million-dollar deal.
Recap
I broke my own rules in this final prediction by going over the payroll by about 5 million dollars. It isn’t a crazy amount, and with the Japanese influence and sponsorships it could pay off very quickly. The Angels get better in my final prediction but maybe not in the ways some people would like. I spent 15 million on three players who could all implode further, which is what Angels fans have come to believe. All the prices for free agents were based off Jon Becker’s matrices getting the average of nearly all predictions. I think this is a much-improved club. The depth may not be there but it is a major league roster that could be better than expected. Corbin doesn’t block any major pitching prospects and overall, the Angels farm stays intact. The starting rotation was in order and projected as follows: Kikuchi, Soriano, Mahle, Detmers and Corbin. The lineup listed below is my projected order.
Starting Lineup:
Zach Neto
Mike Trout
Nolan Schanuel
Taylor Ward
Jo Adell
Kazuma Okamoto
Michael Conforto
Logan O’Hoppe
Christian Moore
Let me know your thoughts. Who do you like and not like. These names won’t please everyone, and perhaps none end up on the Angels. It’s a fun experiment. Give me your predictions in the comments or on X. Let’s discuss as we wait and see the first move of our offseason.
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