LA Angels 2021 spring training guide: predicting the starting rotation

Angels Non-Roster Starters (Highest Playing Level Statistics)

• Denny Brady RHP (24) (A+, 1 season): 3.64 ERA 76.2 IP 1.343 WHIP 10.1 K/9
• Davis Daniel RHP (23) (NCAA, 3 seasons): 5.37 ERA 139 IP 1.518 WHIP 8.7 K/9
• Reid Detmers LHP (21) (NCAA, 3 seasons): 3.20 ERA 191 IP 1.084 WHIP 13.4 K/9
• Jake Faria RHP (27) (MLB, 3 seasons): 4.54 ERA 170.1 IP 1.380 WHIP 8.1 K/9
• Packy Naughton (24) (AA, 1 season): 3.66 ERA 105.2 IP 1.278 WHIP 6.9 K/9
• Thomas Pannone (26) (MLB, 2 seasons) 5.43 116 IP 1.345 WHIP 7.6 K/9

The group of non-roster invitees listed as starters is a healthy mix of youth with a few seasoned big leaguers.

Even if they don’t make the big league team this season, the young Angels starters could be heading to Anaheim sooner rather than later.

One of the names that stands out is Reid Detmers. The left-hander was selected with the 10th overall pick out of Louisville last summer. Detmers is currently the Angels No.2 prospect, and is projected to quickly develop into a mid-rotation starter. It’s hard to imagine Detmers cracks the Opening Day roster without any minor league experience, but he could find himself in the big leagues before the season ends.

The same can be said about other young starters like Packy Naughton (No.12) and Denny Brady (No.29). Neither has triple-A experience, so it would take a lights-out spring camp and some injuries for the Angels to consider rushing any of them to the big leagues.

Even then, it’s likely the Maddon and general manager Perry Minasian would opt to go with Jake Faria and Thomas Pannone who have previously pitched at the MLB level.