Fanmail Friday #8: Soriano’s Future, Rada’s Case, and Can the Halos Finish Above .500?
April 24, 2026 - Written by Brayden Zielke
José Soriano has a 0.24 ERA 🤯
— MLB (@MLB) April 22, 2026
That's the lowest ERA (min. 30 IP) through a pitcher's first 6 starts of a season since 1913 when earned runs became official in both leagues! pic.twitter.com/Fp2qnaWMNS
Hey everyone. My name is Brayden and I am one of the writers and contributors here at InsideHalos. I am super excited to dive into your questions, so let’s get started.
Q: Do You Think Jose Soriano Gets Traded? If So, Would It Be Before Or After The All Star Break? (@everbarrera)
A: I personally think Soriano will end up getting the Shohei Ohtani treatment, meaning that he won’t be given an extension and that the Angels will eventually refuse to trade him and just let him become a free agent. So, to answer your question, no I do not think Soriano gets traded this season
Q: Will This Be The First Team Since 2015 To Have A Winning Season? Why Or Why Not? (@zach_hanson)
A: I absolutely think that the 2026 Angels could have a winning season. If we do, it will be thanks to the lineup and the starting pitching. The lineup is averaging 4.92 runs per game and have been crushing the baseball at times. When the lineup shows up, wins come along. In terms of our starting pitching, the Angels haven’t lost when Soriano pitches and he has been easily the best pitcher in baseball to start the 2026 season. Jack Kochanowicz and Reid Detmers have also had good starts to the season. If the Angels don’t have a winning season, it will definitely be the bullpen and could also be the lineup as well. The bullpen currently has a 4.86 ERA and has not been clutch in most games. The lineup has been going from hot to cold a lot this year, and a cold streak in the mid-late season could cost the Halos a winning record.
Q: What Position Should The Angels Select In The Upcoming Draft? (@j.l.rod)
A: Because the Angels are at a mid-range spot picking at 12, I think the Angels should pick the best college player available. Position doesn’t really matter much at this point and getting a great college player is always a plus on draft day.
Q: Where Do You See This Team At The All Star Break? (@matthewdelgad0)
A: I see the Angels being within 5 games of .500, most likely just under. I think this team is good enough to have a winning record at the All Star Break, but they haven’t shown enough for me to be bought into that vision just yet.
Q: The Rotation Is Good But The Bullpen Is Bad. Will It Get Better? (@notcalebmedina)
A: I think the main issue here is that the bullpen is so inconsistent. Another problem is that games seem to be marred by one reliever, with the other relievers pitching well. This isn’t the story of every game, but I’ve seen it a lot this year. It never seems to be the same pitcher consistently tanking us. Because of this, I genuinely cannot predict whether it will get better or not. We just have to take it game by game and secure wins in those games where the bullpen shows up and does their job.
Q: How Much Longer Does Josh Lowe Get Consistent Playing Time? (@djthayer1_), Who Would You Call Up Or Trade Right Now? (@mrs_mcdonald)
A: I did a double question here because my answer for both of these questions is the same: Nelson Rada. If it were up to me, Nelson Rada would be on a plane from Las Vegas to Kansas City today and be starting in Left Field tomorrow night. I know many fans want Rada to be developed as a Center Fielder, but we can’t just sit here and wait for Trout to get hurt, move back to DH, or retire before we give Rada a chance. Lowe has not been good enough to start every day and Rada is way too talented to leave in AAA. We need to give Rada his shot.
Q: What Do You Think Our Record Will Be At The End Of April? (@loganbarrett.17)
A: 16-16. I’ll even break down my prediction for you:
4/24: Win
4/25: Loss
4/26: Win
4/27: Win
4/28: Win
4/29: Loss
Editor Note: That’ll do it for the eighth edition of Fanmail Friday for 2026.
As always, keep an eye on our Instagram stories to submit your questions for next week, follow us on X, and consider joining the Discord to stay connected with the community. You can find us on both Instagram and X at @insidehalos.
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