Angels roster projections 1.0: Who makes the Opening Day roster?

The Los Angeles Angels roster is pretty set as Spring Training nears. Thanks to the six players Perry Minasian has signed to MLB contracts, a lot of spots we thought might be open to competition are not.

It's still possible we see the Angels make another signing or two. Plenty of free agents are still out there and we saw the Angels make moves during Spring Training last season. The sooner the better, but any improvement made would be good to see.

With pitchers and catchers reporting in less than two weeks, let's take a look at the team the Halos are projected to send to Oakland on Opening Day. Injuries of course can happen, but let's just hope they can actually stay relatively healthy for once.

Angels 2023 Opening Day roster predictions: Two-way players (1)

Shohei Ohtani

Ohtani will be the ace of the staff and will hit in the middle of the Angels order. Hopefully he can take home another MVP and lead the club back to the postseason (and maybe an extension?)

Angels 2023 Opening Day roster predictions: Starting pitchers (5+Ohtani)

Tyler Anderson, Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers, Jose Suarez, Griffin Canning

The top-five starters are set in stone as of now. There's a chance the Angels sign someone like Michael Wacha to push Jose Suarez to the sixth spot in the rotation or make a trade out of nowhere for a pitcher but as of now, Suarez is the fifth starter.

The sixth starter spot is up for grabs and there are a bunch of candidates to win it. Chase Silseth is probably Griffin Canning's biggest threat to that spot, but I'd have Silseth start the year in AAA after struggling at the big league level.

Someone like Tucker Davidson who's out of options could win the job, but I'd be surprised.

Jaime Barria is another pitcher with a shot at the sixth starter job because he has been a starting pitcher in the past and was really effective last season in a long reliever role but I'd just keep him where he succeeded and hope he replicates the season he just had.

Canning did not pitch in 2022 but is healthy and the most experienced option. Assuming he's ready to go, he makes the most sense in my eyes if no moves are made.

Angels 2023 Opening Day roster predictions: Starting lineup (8 +Ohtani)

Taylor Ward, Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, Hunter Renfroe, Jared Walsh, Brandon Drury, Logan O'Hoppe, David Fletcher

The Angels have the first five spots of their lineup set. Taylor Ward will make the switch from right field to left field but should retain his leadoff spot after the year he had in 2022. Trout and Ohtani hitting second and third in center field and at DH respectively is how it should be most of the time. Hopefully, Ward gets on base enough and the hitters behind them drive them in enough to win games.

Anthony Rendon gets another shot at third base and hopefully he can stay healthy. The Halos have the ability to rest Rendon more now with the additions they've made, so look for them to do that.

Hunter Renfroe, Jared Walsh, and Brandon Drury all have 30+ home run potential. Renfroe should play every day in right, Walsh should play against righties at first, and Drury should play most of the time at second base but has the ability to move all around the diamond if needed.

I have Logan O'Hoppe starting, but that can go a couple of different ways. The Angels can sign someone like Gary Sanchez who they've been linked to at points this offseason to keep O'Hoppe in the minors. They can also have Max Stassi start and have Matt Thaiss backing him up (I would not recommend this). What I think is the most likely outcome is O'Hoppe wins the job. Hopefully he hits and plays the position adequately.

Shortstop is a position the Angels failed to address. David Fletcher is a capable defender there but is much better at second base and is not good enough offensively to play every day. Luis Rengifo can hit, but can't really play the position well enough. The Angels could sign someone like Elvis Andrus to play short, but I doubt it happens at this point. It could be something they address at the trade deadline if it's an issue.

Angels 2023 Opening Day roster predictions: Bullpen (8)

Carlos Estevez, Jimmy Herget, Aaron Loup, Ryan Tepera, Jaime Barria, Jose Quijada, Andrew Wantz, Zack Weiss

The Angels have six of their eight bullpen slots solidified heading into Opening Day. it's possible we see them sign a reliever, which I'd recommend, but for now, this is how the bullpen looks to be shaping up.

Carlos Estevez I believe will have a majority of the opportunities to close but expect Jimmy Herget to pitch in high-leverage spots too.

The Angels hope Aaron Loup and Ryan Tepera give them a little more in 2023. They were fine last season, but they paid them to be more than fine. Hopefully at least one of them has a better year.

Jaime Barria could possibly start but I doubt it. He excelled in a long reliever role last season and I'd expect to see him used in a very similar way in 2023. Hopefully the results follow.

Jose Quijada earned a spot on the roster with how he pitched last season. Hopefully he can develop a second pitch and tone down the walks a bit, but I like him as a second lefty.

The last two spots are up for grabs but I went with Andrew Wantz and Zack Weiss. Wantz is probably very likely to make it with Weiss on the chopping block if the Halos opt to sign a reliever.

It's possible we see the Angels choose to roster someone like Tucker Davidson in the bullpen because he's out of options but I would not want to see that. I think the Angels have room for improvement in their bullpen but it's better than last year thanks to the Estevez pickup.