Overreactions and Conclusions Through 20 Games
April 18, 2026 - Written by Brayden Zielke
YOUR AL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: JOSÉ SORIANO 👑 pic.twitter.com/OH94vPrQqz
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) April 13, 2026
Now that we're 20 games into the 2026 season, I wanted to share some overreactions and conclusions I’ve reached so far this season.
Jose Soriano Will Be A CY Young Finalist
There hasn’t been a better pitcher thus far in 2026. Through his first 4 starts, Soriano has thrown 27.0 innings, given up only 9 hits, 8 walks, and 1 earned run. That gives him an insane ERA of just 0.33, which leads the league. He also has 31 strikeouts so far. If he continues his dominance, he should have no problem finding his way into the top 3 in CY Young voting, if not win the award straight up. I am really looking forward to seeing what Soriano can accomplish, but it sure looks like we have a true ace back in the rotation.
Kurt Suzuki Is The Answer, And So Are The Coaches He Brought With Him
I understand that he has been far from perfect. However, it’s really starting to feel like Kurt Suzuki might finally be the one the Angels have been searching for since Scioscia’s retirement after the 2018 season. The Angels have been competitive in almost every game, with 5/10 losses thus far being within 2 runs. The lineup leads the league in walks, are 2nd in home runs, 6th in RBIs, 6th in total bases, and 8th in OPS. The rotation is T5 in quality starts and are also top 10 in strikeouts and home runs allowed. The lineup is significantly more patient and are striking the ball really well. Mike Maddux unlocked Jose Soriano and has helped turn Jack Kochanowicz into a pitcher who might actually have some upside. Detmers has also fared really well so far. It feels like it might just be starting to come together. All it took was 4 managers over 7 years to get here.
Trading For Josh Lowe Wasn’t The Right Move
I am actually somewhat of a fan of Josh Lowe, but some of the circumstances surrounding the trade are starting to become frustrating. For starters, Lowe just hasn’t been very good so far. He only has 7 hits in 50 ABs and Statcast ranks many of his advanced statistics among the worst in the league. Because of his near inability to get on base, he hasn’t been able to utilize his speed, which is arguably his best trait. Another frustrating factor is Nelson Rada. Rada is continuing to prove that he belongs in the big leagues and is hitting .302 in AAA. But with Lowe’s 3 years of team control and Trout’s insistence on playing CF instead of DH, there isn’t really anywhere for Rada to go. Although he’s only 20, it feels like such a waste that someone with Rada’s talent has to sit patiently in AAA.
Oswald Peraza Could Be A Long Term Option In The Infield
A lot of fans clowned the Angels when they acquired Peraza from the Yankees at the 2025 trade deadline, and it's easy to understand why. He came in with a career batting average below the Mendoza Line and had -1.5 career WAR. He provided no value to the Yankees in his 145 games he played with them and the Halos acquired him in exchange for a low level minor leaguer and international bonus pool money. While he isn’t some kind of superstar, he’s batting .269 and has 4 home runs on the season. We’re seeing the best version of himself that has been displayed at the Major League level. If he continues to develop, we could have a long term 2B or 3B option in Peraza.
The Angels Are Suddenly Walking More Than Any Team In Baseball
In 2025, the Angels were 22nd in team walks. Through 20 games, they lead the league in walks, averaging nearly 5 per game. I don’t really have much to add, I just wanted to acknowledge it.
Mike Trout Is Back To Crushing The Baseball
The GOAT himself has been absolution hammering the ball to start the 2026 season. He is on a 4 game home run streak and is on pace for over 50 bombs. He is also walking a ton and has a chase rate in the 95th percentile. He has also found himself in the 100th percentile of barrel percentage. It feels like Trout 2.0 is here to stay.
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