Angels Shake Up Starting Rotation
The Los Angeles Angels have made significant adjustments to their pitching rotation.
According to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, Tyler Anderson and Kyle Hendricks have been separated in the rotation, as have Jose Soriano and Jack Kochanowicz. The changes aim to better distribute the “soft throwers” and sinker-ball pitchers across the rotation.
Yusei Kikuchi remains the ace, but now follows a new order: Soriano, Hendricks, Kochanowicz, and Anderson.
With the team coming off four consecutive losses, manager Ron Washington is starting with the rotation to spark a turnaround.
In Tuesday’s loss, Kochanowicz pitched six innings, striking out six but allowing four walks and a three-run home run. His ERA has risen to 5.29 over six starts, up from last season’s 3.99.
Kochanowicz, who throws a sinker nearly half the time (49.9%), has struggled with control. Meanwhile, Soriano, another sinker-heavy pitcher (53.6%), holds a 4.50 ERA, higher than his previous two seasons. He also mixes in a knuckle curve, slider, split-finger, and four-seam fastball.
Anderson, scheduled to start Wednesday, is having his best run with the Angels so far, posting a 2.60 ERA through five starts. Despite having a below-average fastball velocity (88.7 mph, 3rd percentile), his offspeed pitches have been effective, ranking in the 92nd percentile for offspeed run value.
Hendricks, with a 6.65 ERA in his first season with the Angels, has struggled with command but ranks in the 68th percentile for chase percentage.
Fans will be hoping these rotation adjustments help the team bounce back and get back to winning ways.
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