3 internal candidates to fill LA Angels last starting rotation spot

The LA Angels are still searching for one more starter to fill up their six man rotation.

While there are of course trade rumors that have been set ablaze at certain points this offseason, there are a few guys already in our organization who have the chance to get the job done. While none of these are sure things, they have the chance to really excel if developed the right way.

All three are young, and have shown untapped potential just waiting for them to fulfill.

No. 3 internal candidate to fill LA Angels last starting rotation spot: Janson Junk

Janson Junk would be an interesting plug-in for the LA Angels' last spot in the rotation. Junk was quietly pretty solid in his first taste of Major League Baseball last season. Recording a 3.86 ERA, he only walked 1.1 batters per nine frames.

That walk number is something all of us can get behind, and while it was only in four starts, the lack of earned runs allowed shows that he does indeed have some promise in his arm.

We can use him in the bullpen next year, but he can also start. Recording a 5:1 strikeout to walk ratio in 2021, I'm more than curious to see how he performs through a bigger sample size. He's still not too old at just 26 years old, and will likely be up at the Major League level more often in 2022 regardless of if he wins the starting spot. He's the type of pitcher who's worth working on.

No. 1 internal candidate to fill LA Angels last starting rotation spot: Jaime Barria

Jaime Barria has been a very good pitcher for the LA Angels in certain seasons. Now, even in those good seasons, he hasn't been the most durable. I'm not saying that Barria is some sure-fire dominant guy who is destined for a breakout year coming up.

But I do know that while we don't have a big sample size from the right hander, there have been serious stretches of impressive baseball from him. And in fact, one of those years indeed WAS a full season.

In his rookie year, he went for 26 starts while posting a 3.41 ERA and a 10-9 record in 2018. It's where we looked at Barria and realized that he has potential. It may just be only a matter of time until he grows into the type of pitcher that we believe he can be.

He's only 25, and there's more stability in the coaching staff with Matt Wise set to be here the whole year, instead of having to change pitching coaches unexpectedly during the season like last year.

Don't be surprised if Barria kills it in spring training. And if that happens, he'll be starting for us next year as long as we don't take his spot with an external candidate. Somebody's going to have to break out next year, and there's no reason it can't be Barria.