3 individual Angels storylines worth celebrating from an otherwise lost 2026 season

The Los Angeles Angels lost 100 games for the first time in franchise history in 2026. There aren’t a ton of positives to derive from that and most of the positivity currently surrounding the organization has to do with new principal owner Stan Kroenke and interim general manager John Mozeliak.

Still, there were positive developments on the field in 2026. Three players had good individual storylines which bode well for 2027 and beyond.

3 Angels storylines trending the right way despite the team's 100-loss season

Mike Trout looks like himself again

Perhaps the most encouraging sign from 2026 was the fact that Mike Trout looked like himself. He made it back to the All-Star Game and played in 142 games, which is the most he’s played in since 2016 when he played in 159 games.

Trout hit .242/.382/.421 on the year, with 22 home runs and 54 runs batted in. He’s back to putting up respectable numbers which has to make the Halos feel a lot better about all of the money he’s owed through the 2030 season.

The Angels can accept the fact that Trout will likely never be at an MVP-level again, but if he can at least stay fairly healthy and put up solid numbers that’s a winner this point.

Walbert Ureña looks like an ace

While trading away a pitcher with great stuff like José Soriano certainly stung, the fact that Walbert Ureña emerged and looked like the Angels’ ace of the future is a really encouraging development.

Ureña had a 2.97 ERA on the year in 148 innings of work. He struck out 142 batters and walked 68 while sporting a 3.62 FIP which suggests he was a little lucky, but he’s only 22 so as he develops even more as a pitcher his ceiling is likely only going to get higher.

Zach Neto remains a solid player (and trade chip)

Early in the season when shortstop Zach Neto was struggling, there was a fear that maybe the Angels had missed their best chance to trade him. By the end of the year he was back to his usual self and his numbers were pretty much where they usually are as he hit .239/.330/.436 with 27 home runs and 77 runs batted in.

If the Angels want to keep him around then it’s good that he had another solid year, but if they want to trade him in the offseason then they’re well-positioned to do so since he remains a valuable player so it’s a win no matter what.

It will most likely be a few more years until the Angels are truly competitive, but at least there are some positives to take away from 2026 as the team looks to rebuild under new leadership. 

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