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3 Angels relievers not on the 40-man roster most likely to see big league action this year

By Zachary Rotman |
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Being off of the 40-man roster makes it less likely a player makes the Opening Day roster even with a great spring. It's easier to not have to designate a player you like for assignment just to carry someone who might be slightly better for the last roster spot. This can be said for these three Los Angeles Angels relievers.

Most of the Angels' bullpen is set, especially after the signing of Matt Moore. There're one or two open slots, depending on if the Angels opt to use Jaime Barria in the sixth starter/swingman role. Pitchers on the 40-man roster have a serious leg up, but those not on the 40-man have a chance to impress.

These three Angels relievers don't feel like the most serious Opening Day roster candidates but can find their way up with the big club eventually and one, in particular, can make a huge impact.

1) LA Angels reliever Ben Joyce has the most upside for any reliever in the organization

Ben Joyce was drafted in the third round of the 2022 draft and then went immediately to AA. At Rocket City he had a 2.08 ERA in 13 appearances and 13 innings pitched. In those 13 innings he struck out 20 batters while walking four. He displayed his absurd fastball along the way.

Joyce is with the big club in Spring Training but is not on the 40-man roster. He's made two appearances, one that could be seen on television and one that could not. Joyce was pumping in triple digit fastballs in his first appearance and struck out two in a perfect inning of work. His second outing was a bit shakier as he walked two and allowed a hit, but got through the inning unscathed.

Joyce with his stuff has the most upside of any reliever in the organization. He has future closer written all over him. The reason he likely won't make the Opening Roster even with Phil Nevin saying he's going to carry the best 26 guys is because13 innings of work is nothing. They're likely going to want him to throw a bit more in the minors, and I can't blame them. Joyce not being on the 40-man is also going to be used against him.

However, with his stuff, I wouldn't be shocked to see Joyce up with the Angels at some point this year, especially if the bullpen is struggling. If he does find his way up here and looks good, expect him to stick.

2) LA Angels reliever Chris Devenski is one of the most experienced relievers the organization has

Chris Devenski is with the Angels on a minor league deal and is with the club in Spring Training. He's made three appearances thus far, two good and one bad.

Devenski posesses an elite changeup which guided him through two dominant seasons in Houston, one of which saw him appear in the all-star game as a set-up man which is incredibly hard to do.

The problem with Devenski is outside of those two dominant seasons, he hasn't done much in the majors. He has a 5.45 ERA in 136 appearances since his all-star season of 2017. He's made just 25 appearances since 2020 and has pitched to a 9.47 ERA.

I'm not saying I'd like to see Devenski up with the club at any point, I'd rather just take a flyer on a younger guy. The Angels did bring him here for a reason, and the fact that he's a veteran with a ton of experience and some success (even with it being so long ago) it's very possible he finds his way up with the team at some point.

He found his way on two teams last season including the defending NL Champion Phillies. Who knows, maybe the Angels can help salvage his career. Stranger things have happened.

3) LA Angels reliever Jacob Webb has had success at the MLB level

The Angels signed Jacob Webb to a minor league deal soon after they traded three arms to acquire Hunter Renfroe. Webb provides depth to a team that had just sent part of it to Milwaukee, and I liked the move at the time.

Webb is a pitcher Perry Minasian is familiar with as both were with the Braves organization. Despite the fact that he didn't pitch at all at the big league level in 2022, Webb does have some success at this level.

A 2.47 ERA in 78 appearances is certainly nothing to scoff at. The 3.99 FIP suggests he's gotten pretty lucky with his sparkling ERA, but he could still be a guy worth giving a shot to at some point.

Webb has made three appearances this spring and has three scoreless innings. Webb has walked two and allowed two hits, but all that matters is the zero in the run column.

Webb dealt with injury and struggled in the minors last season splitting time with Atlanta and Arizona's systems as he posted an ERA over 6.00 in 34 appearances, but looked like a fine low-leverage reliever in 2021 at the big league level for the Braves.

Webb not being on the 40-man hurts his chances at an Opening Day spot but his familiarity with Perry Minasian along with his success at the MLB level gives him a leg up on the others who aren't on the 40-man roster.

Next. Angels roster projections 2.0. dark

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