3 LA Angels players who could be first-time All-Stars this season

Gone are the days where Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani are the de facto Angels All-Star representatives every season, meaning the door is open for new blood to get the honor. Trout missed the prestigious event last season because he went down with an injury after 29 games played, but he could easily find his way back there in 2025. Trout has so much star power that he does not even need to tear it up to get the nod. If the now right fielder simply stays healthy for the first couple months of the season, the superstar undoubtedly will be featured in Atlanta during the break.

The Angels will need to win more games than expected in order for non-Trout players to make the All-Star Game. Due to the non-competitive roster for the past *checks notes* decade, the Angels have not been a franchise who sends non-Ohtani/Trout players to the game often. Other than those two superstars, here are the Angels players who have represented the team the past decade: Tyler Anderson (2024), Carlos Estévez (2023), Jared Walsh (2021), Tommy La Stella (2019), Albert Pujols (2015), Hector Santiago (2015), and Erick Aybar (2014).

The Angels have myriad breakout candidates in 2025 who are hungry to start collecting some individual awards. Who are some players who could appear in their first All-Star Game this year?

Here are the Angels players who have already been selected to at least one All-Star Game: Mike Trout (11), Kenley Jansen (4), Tyler Anderson (2), Tim Anderson (2), Yusei Kikuchi (1), Jorge Soler (1), Travis d'Arnaud (1), and *grumbles* Anthony Rendon (1).

Ben Joyce

The All-Star Game is all about star power, and the Volunteer Fireman certainly has that. He was probably the most watchable player on the roster last season given his absolutely electrifying stuff.

It feels like if Joyce stays healthy, than the reliever will have a great opportunity to make the team. When he's available, he frankly is unhittable. Joyce will need to rack up more strikeouts to make a case for the award, but it seems extremely plausible that the guy who averages 102mph on his heaters will collect more punch outs.

Kenley Jansen's presence puts a damper on Joyce's ability to rack up saves, but the 24-year-old will still receive opportunities to enter games in save situations. It will not necessarily be a closer-by-committee approach, but the Angels surely will manage Jansen's workload in the first half of the season given his escalating age. That being said, it's not unheard of for set-up men to make the team anyway. Joyce is widely expected to dominate once again this season, and one of the best young relievers in the league will be afforded every opportunity to crack the All-Star team.

Taylor Ward

Ward is a player who has been consistently good in his career, but never viewed as great in the baseball community. After his 2024 season, however, Ward's skills are getting more recognized on the national level. The left fielder will be slotted into the leadoff spot of the order often this year, allowing him the chance to collect a high amount of doubles, home runs, RBIs, etc. Ward will be attacking fastballs all season long, and continuing to play underrated outfield defense.

Ward was streaky last year, but he posted career highs in home runs, RBIs, and hits. Additionally, his streakiness at the plate can easily be chocked up to very little lineup protection. He is now being followed in the lineup by a ~hopefully~ healthy Trout, an up-and-coming star in Zach Neto (once he returns), and the always intimidating Jorge Soler.

Ward will not face the best competition for an All-Star nod. Obviously there's Trout and Aaron Judge. 9X All-Star, Jose Altuve, is now a left fielder. Then there are dynamic corner outfielders like Jarren Duran, Riley Greene, Adolis García, and Anthony Santander. Could Ward out-perform those four plus other candidates like Steven Kwan, Lawrence Butler, et al? Absolutely.

José Soriano

Soriano is widely known as a pitcher who could easily breakout in 2025. Soriano, who is the team's no. 2 starter behind Yusei Kikuchi, was shut down due to arm fatigue after posting incredible numbers in his 113 innings pitched last season. His arm certainly looks fresh in camp after his prolonged absence.

Soriano will continue to throw the heck out of his turbo sinker and upper-80s knuckle curve, but perhaps he will feature his four-seam, splitter, and slider more this season? Soriano, Joyce, and Jack Kochanowicz are all looking to diversify their arsenals in order to limit the amount of balls put in play this season. Sure, those three will continue to rack up a high clip of ground balls, but perhaps they can all find more consistency in their third, fourth, and even fifth pitches to get hitters guessing more often. In order to take the next step, Soriano needs to round out his game.

If Soriano can limit free passes and strike guys out at even an average rate this year, his refreshed arm could dominate hitters in the first half of the season en route to his first All-Star appearance.

Toughest omissions: Zach Neto, Logan O'Hoppe, Kyle Hendricks, Nolan Schanuel

How the heck is Zach Neto not the number one choice to make the All-Star Game?!?! Well, just take a look at the American League shortstops. He will be competing with Gunnar Henderson, Bobby Witt Jr., Corey Seager, Carlos Correa, and Bo Bichette. Guys like Trevor Story, Jeremy Peña, and Anthony Volpe could show out to start the season as well. Neto could possibly miss games/regress some due to his shoulder surgery this offseason. He will undoubtedly make an All-Star Game in his career, but he is certainly facing some stiff competition this year.

Like Neto, Logan O'Hoppe has a ton of competition to make the team in the form of Adley Rutschman, Yainer Diaz, Cal Raleigh, Shea Langeliers, Sal Perez, Bo Naylor, Alejandro Kirk, Danny Jansen, and Austin Wells.

Kyle Hendricks has shockingly never made an All-Star team in his career. Perhaps a career renaissance is afoot? That could be true, but what's also true is he's a long-shot to pitch that well.

Nolan Schanuel is in-line to play a lot this year, and the AL first basemen are not the best group around. Like many other Angels, he is more acclimated to the big league season and is looking good so far in camp.

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