Under-the-radar Angels reliever duo is proving the bullpen tide is turning

For years, the Los Angeles Angels' bullpen has consisted of reclamation projects, veterans on their last legs, and a collection of random dart throws. The 2026 edition might have been one of the most egregious examples of this, with the likes of Jordan Romano and Drew Pomeranz originally counted on to play key roles before things predictably blew up for the pair.

Most of the time, these types of arms fail, and when they don't, they only provide temporary solutions, like Kenley Jansen did last season. Much of the focus for the Angels' issues has been their failure to develop starters, but the same holds true for some of the relievers the club at one time thought could be the future.

That seems to be changing now, though. Ben Joyce is back healthy and dominating after what feels like an eternity of abrupt starts and stops over his young career. Joyce carries with him a fastball that can top 105 miles per hour, so when healthy, he's expected to be a lethal weapon, but for once he's not alone in the bullpen.

Both Samy Natera Jr. and Jose Fermin have emerged as young relievers showing a lot of promise. Natera Jr. recently landed on the IL with back spasms, but since being called up on June 6, the southpaw has been a demon.

Fermin, meanwhile, got a look last season and showed flashes but ultimately struggled with command that resulted in a 15.1% walk rate and sky-high 2.10 HR/9. This year, though, he looks like he's turned the corner.

Regardless of what happens with Ben Joyce, Samy Natera Jr. and Jose Fermin are fueling hope in the Angels' bullpen

Natera Jr. has thrown 27 innings over 23 appearances, slicing and dicing opposing lineups with a 40.4% strikeout rate. He gets the job done with a dynamic rising fastball that features 19.6 inches of vertical rise and plays much faster than its 94.8 miles per hour average velocity thanks to his 6.8 feet of extension. Paired with a slider that has produced a 57.7% whiff rate, he's been unhittable, producing a .140 batting average against and a .200 ERA.

Fermin is a perfect example of a player who made real adjustments to correct his flaws. He overhauled his pitch usage, nearly tabling his fastball entirely. Last season, he went to the heater 49.6% of the time, but now that's fallen to just 5.9% utilization. In its place, Fermin has gone to his wicked slider, throwing the breaker at a 58.3% clip, and has upped his sinker usage from 1.1% to 30%.

The increased sinker utilization has allowed him to raise his ground ball rate from 30.3% last year to 47.3% this season, and in turn, that has cut his HR/9 to a more reasonable 1.27. His slider is the real weapon, posting a run value of six and generating a 37.8% whiff rate and a .182 opponent's batting average. On the season, he's thrown 42 2/3 innings with a 3.16 ERA.

If the Angels end up keeping Ben Joyce and he can stay healthy, they have the makings of a dynamic late-inning trio that is under team control for the next several seasons. With one lefty and a pair of righties, they'd have everything they need in high leverage if these young arms keep producing. If they end up trading Joyce, they'll find that they still have a solid foundation with Natera Jr. and Fermin.

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