Angels roster projections 3.0: Who makes the Opening Day roster?

Another week of Spring Training is down, and that means another version of the Los Angeles Angels Opening Day roster projections is coming.

A lot has happened since our last roster projections were released. Some players have excelled this spring and have done their best to force the hand of Phil Nevin and Perry Minasian.

Once again, injuries are impossible to predict, but the Angels have done a nice job so far staying healthy. The actual roster likely won't look like this one, but let's give it our best shot.

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

Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani is no longer with the club as he's made quite the first impression at the WBC. He's hit a crazy home run and has dominated on the mound as well. Quite the player he is.

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

Tyler Anderson, Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers, Jose Suarez, Tucker Davidson

No changes from last time. The top five have been a lock since we got to Spring Training, so expect that to be how the beginning of the rotation looks.

The spot that was always up for grabs was the sixth spot, but Tucker Davidson has done the best he could to nail that down.

The southpaw has allowed two runs in seven innings with 10 strikeouts to just one walk. He's shown off a new-look slider and has had tremendous success with it.

Davidson does not have a good MLB track record and that's definitely worrisome, but the fact that he's looked as good as he has and does not have options left gives him the leg up. Other starters like Chase Silseth and Griffin Canning figure to see time at some point.

Angels 2023 Opening Day roster predictions: Bench (4)

Max Stassi, Gio Urshela, Luis Rengifo, Brett Phillips

Same bench. Max Stassi is a lock to be the backup (or starting) catcher. He's under contract and is not a player the Angels will look at releasing at least right now.

Urshela and Rengifo will both be on the roster in some capacity, and should both see plenty of action.

Urshela I think will be used mostly to spell Anthony Rendon at third and will play some shortstop as well. He should start 4-5 games a week at a variety of infield positions. Good player, but doesn't have a starting spot locked up on this team (which is a great problem to have).

Rengifo I think should play mostly against lefties with how good he was against southpaws last season. He can take Jared Walsh's spot in the lineup and should provide the same power spark he provided last season. If only he was a better defender I'd recommend he'd play more shortstop.

Brett Phillips is the answer Angels fans will not be happy about, but they signed him to a MLB contract. He might not last the entire season if he looks as bad as he's looked in the spring, but Phillips will be on the roster as the fourth outfielder barring injury.

He shouldn't cost them games because he shouldn't be starting many, but there's virtually no way someone like Mickey Moniak can take the spot from him, no matter how good he looks.

Angels 2023 Opening Day roster predictions: Bullpen (8)

Carlos Estevez, Jimmy Herget, Matt Moore, Aaron Loup, Ryan Tepera, Jaime Barria, Jose Quijada, Ben Joyce

The Angels bullpen looks mostly the same with one glaring change. Estevez, Herget, and Moore figure to be the late-game trio Nevin looks at to try and finish games.

Aaron Loup and Ryan Tepera are veterans with the ability to pitch better than they did last season. Loup has looked particularly good this spring and is headed to the WBC now actually.

Jose Quijada is another lefty but is one that's deserving of a spot. Quijada is also out of options, so if he doesn't make the team, he'd be DFA'd and surely scooped up by another team.

Jaime Barria I think should be more on the bubble than he actually is because his peripherals were not very good last season and I expect real regression, but he's the long man and is also out of options. I'd be shocked if he wasn't on the roster.

The change I have in this roster projection is Ben Joyce over Andrew Wantz. Now I don't think Andrew Wantz should be demoted, but I doubt the Angels get rid of Quijada or Barria.

Ben Joyce has simply forced the Angels hand in my eye. His stuff is too good, too overpowering. He's thrown strikes consistently and has been used in situations against big league hitters. He struck Pete Alonso out!

Joyce is inexperienced so it's definitely possible he does not make the team, but I think the way he's been used indicates he's been evaluated very closely for this spot. Joyce has done nothing but impress, as thrown four scoreless innings with six strikeouts thus far, but things definitely can change which is why we do these updates.

For now, I think the last bullpen spot is Joyce's to lose.