LA Angels 2021 spring training guide: predicting the starting rotation

As the Angels continue their first week of official spring training workouts, let’s run through an updated version of the potential 2021 starting rotation.

The Halos staff received some upgrades this winter with Alex Cobb and Jose Quintana, who previously pitched for manager Joe Maddon in their careers.

Among the returning starters will be Dylan Bundy, Andrew Heaney, and Griffin Canning. Maddon also confirmed two-way player Shohei Ohtani would get some looks on the mound if all goes well this spring.

Will the current group of starting pitchers be enough for the Angels to compete this season?

There’s a slight chance the Halos could sign Jake Odorizzi in the next few weeks, but I wouldn’t count on that barring injuries or ineffectiveness in spring. Something else to keep in mind is a possible trade for a starter like David Price or Sonny Gray, but that probably wouldn’t be until later on in the season if the Angels are contending and need help on the mound.

Considering 80 percent of their starters will be free agents next winter (Bundy, Heaney, Cobb, Quintana), the Angels will look at other players this spring who could have an impact in the near future.

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.

Among the players with the best chance to earn a spot in the starting rotation are Jaime Barria and Patrick Sandoval.

Both pitchers threw a small sample size of innings as staters last summer, and Minasian explained he would like to see each continue developing this season.

Jaime Barria and Patrick Sandoval 2020 Statistics:

• Barria (7 games, 5 starts): (1-0, 3.62 ERA) 32.1 IP 1.113 WHIP
• Sandoval (9 games, 6 starts): (1-5, 5.65 ERA) 36.2 IP 1.336 WHIP

Barria is one of four players who will be delayed to the team’s spring camp in Tempe, Arizona due to visa issues. The Panama City native is out of minor league options, so it’s likely he gets moved to the bullpen as a long-inning reliever if he does not crack the starting rotation to begin the season.

Sandoval will enter his third season as a big league pitcher, and the 2021 campaign will be critical for the left-hander to take the next step forward in his career. If not, Sandoval could find himself in the minor leagues, and eventually get surpassed by the younger talent in the Angels farm system.

Will Jaime Barria and Patrick Sandoval be used as starters this season?

Both Barria and Sandoval could be important swingmen for the Halos pitching staff this season. If they perform well, it could result in Minasian considering their longterm futures beyond this season.

It could also mean opening the door for a potential trade at some point in the near future.

Shohei Ohtani RHP

If all goes well this spring, Shohei Ohtani will be utilized as a two-way player for the Angels in 2021.

On Wednesday, Maddon explained Ohtani would have no limitations in his preparation as a hitter and pitcher for this season. Still, the Halos coaching staff will keep a close eye on Ohtani and evaluate his situation as spring training progresses.

If he can stay healthy, Shohei Ohtani will be used as a starter for the Angels in 2021.

Ohtani threw a 27-pitch bullpen session on Thursday, with his velocity maxing out at 90 mph. This caused some to overreact, but it is not a big deal for a pitcher’s first bullpen session of the spring.

If this is the case a week before Opening Day, I think it is a cause for concern.

Following his session, Ohtani reiterated he feels great and is not worried about his velocity right now.

“I’m not worried at all,” Ohtani said. “This is my first bullpen wearing a uniform this year, so I’m not too worried about the velo. I’ve been hitting all offseason and I think my swing is feeling really good right now. My body is feeling good. I think we’re in a good spot hitting-wise.”

The Angels are hoping Ohtani can return to his 2018 Rookie of the Year form on the mound this season.

Shohei Ohtani Career Pitching Statistics (3 seasons):

• 2018: (10 starts) (4-2, 3.31 ERA) 51.2 IP 1.161 WHIP 11 K/9 AL Rookie of the Year
• 2019: Did Not Pitch
• 2020: (2 starts) (0-1) 1.2 IP 7 ER 3 H 8 BB 3 SO

Managing Ohtani will be one of the toughest challenges Maddon will have in his career, due to his generational type of talent.

He can’t be overused to risk another injury, but at the same time, it would be a waste for the Angels not to take advantage of their two-way star.

If he can stay healthy, I think we can expect Maddon to implement some form of a six-man rotation with Ohtani involved.

Of the current Angels starters who will be used in a projected rotation, I believe Griffin Canning will round out the group as a No.5 and Andrew Heaney as the No.4 man.

Griffin Canning RHP

Just 24-years old, Canning carries some upside into the 2021 season. Barring the unforseen, the right-hander will enter is first full major league season for the Halos.

Griffin Canning Career Statistics (2 seasons):

• 2019: (18 games, 17 starts) (4.58 ERA) 90.1 IP 1.218 WHIP
• 2020: (11 starts) (3.99 ERA) 56.1 IP 1.367 WHIP

Like many of the current Angels starters, Canning will need to improve his ability to work deep into ballgames as a starter. The right-hander pitched beyond the fifth inning just four times in his 11 starts last season.

Griffin Canning and Andrew Heaney will likely round out the bottom of the Angels rotation.

Andrew Heaney LHP

Entering his age 30 season, Andrew Heaney is a pitcher who is playing into the potential prime years of his career.

The left-hander agreed to a $6.75 million deal in his final year of arbitration. Playing for a contract in the season before becoming a free agent will be an extra motivator for Heaney and the other three Angels starters.

Up to this point in his big league tenure, the Halos are still waiting for Heaney to take the next steps in living up to the potential he carried as a ninth overall pick in 2012.

Andrew Heaney Last 3 Seasons:

• 2018: (30 starts) (9-10, 4.15 ERA) 180 IP 1.200 WHIP
• 2019: (18 starts) (4-6, 4.91 ERA) 95.1 IP 1.290 WHIP
• 2020: (12 starts) (4-3, 4.46 ERA) 66.2 IP 1.230 WHIP

I think Heaney will begin this season as a starter but will be on a short leash. Last season, Heaney threw four quality starts in his 12 outings, so there is no question the potential is there.

Alex Cobb-RHP

Highlighting the Angels ‘biggest’ offseason additions was a trade for the veteran Alex Cobb.

The Halos sent No.7 prospect Jahmai Jones to Baltimore in exchange for Cobb and $10 million. The Angels will cover $5 million of Cobb’s 2021 salary.

It’s been seven seasons since Cobb has posted high-level statistics. From 2013-2014 the right-hander posted a 2.82 ERA and 1.145 WHIP in 309.2 innings.

Since then, injuries and ineffectiveness have impacted Cobb.

Alex Cobb Last 3 Seasons:

• 2018: (28 starts) 4.90 ERA 152.1 IP 1.411 WHIP
• 2019: (3 starts) 10.95 ERA 12.1 IP 1.865 WHIP
• 2020: (10 starts) 4.30 ERA 52.1 IP 1.338 WHIP

An earned run average above four isn’t elite by any means, but it’s a step in the right direction for Cobb.

The 33-year old has been spoken highly of by Maddon. The pair spent time together in Tampa Bay when Cobb was crucial in helping the Rays reach the postseason.

Can Alex Cobb be an effective starter for the Angels in 2021?

A high ground-ball rate (53.1% in 2020) is among the other positives the Angels will bank on for Cobb this season. If he can stay healthy, the plan is for the right-hander to do just enough to eat innings and keep the Halos in ballgames.

On a more competitive roster, I’d pencil in Cobb as a bottom of the rotation starter. I don’t think Canning nor Heaney have done enough to surpass Cobb, though that could change depending on spring performances.

Lefty-righty flips are also something to consider, but for now, I’d have Cobb as the Angels No.3 starter.