Jack Kochanowicz Making Case For Fifth Rotation Spot
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jack Kochanowicz is making his case for the fifth rotation spot for the team, now with a 1.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, and a 1:6 BB:K through nine Cactus League innings. The 6-foot-7 righty made his MLB debut last season, posting a 3.99 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 11 starts, but the strikeouts lagged (9.4 percent). With a SIERA of 4.56 after 2024 was over and the lack of strikeouts that was a trend even in the minors as well (19.0 percent K% in 66 stars), it's hard to envision things getting drastically better for the 24-year-old in 2025. Nevertheless, the former third-round draft pick could have some value in AL-only leagues were he to win the job out of camp, so monitor this situation for any developments if you play in that format.
Jack Kochanowicz Tosses Three Shutout Frames In Spring Debut
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz (illness) tossed three shutout frames in his spring debut on Tuesday. Kochanowicz was scratched from his previous outing due to an illness but was able to return shortly after. He looked sharp in his debut, which is a promising sign. He allowed three hits and tallied just one punchout. Last season, Kochanowicz made his MLB debut. Across his first 11 starts (65 1/3 innings), the right-handed pitcher held a 3.99 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP. He tallied 25 strikeouts but showed elite command as he served up walks at a 3.8 percent rate. He also generated groundballs at a high 56.5 percent rate which helped counter his low strikeout rate. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Kochanowicz's progression during camp as he is currently competing for a role in the back-end of the Los Angeles rotation.
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz (illness) is expected to take the mound for Tuesday's spring training contest against the Cleveland Guardians. He will throw a simulated game on Friday, but if all goes well then he'll be back on the mound early next week. The right-hander was scratched from his start on Thursday due to an illness, but it doesn't sound like something that is going to linger. Kochanowicz looked decent during his time with the big league club last season. He's competing for the fifth spot in the starting rotation to begin the season. If he gets it, Kochanowicz could be a deep league option to begin the 2025 campaign.
Jack Kochanowicz Scratched On Thursday With Illness
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (illness) was scratched from his scheduled Cactus League start on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs due to an illness. With Kochanowicz under the weather, pitching prospect Caden Dana will make the start instead. Kochanowicz will hopefully be feeling good enough in a few days to make his second start of spring training as he competes for the final spot in the Angels' starting rotation to begin the 2025 regular season. The former third-round pick in 2019 made his big-league debut in 2024 and went 2-6 with a 3.99 ERA (4.62 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and 10 walks in 65 1/3 innings over his 11 starts. The 24-year-old had a miserable 9.4 percent walk rate, although his ground-ball tendencies helped him keep his ERA barely under 4.00. Even if he wins a rotation spot, which is unlikely, he'll have very little fantasy upside.
Jack Kochanowicz Viewed As Top Option For Final Spot In The Rotation
According to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com, Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitcher Jack Kochanowicz likely has a "leg up" for the final spot in the Angels starting rotation. Bollinger noted that given his strong play at the end of the season, the 24-year-old should have a better chance to win the final spot over Reid Detmers and Chase Silseth. While the Angels could also give their top pitching prospect, Caden Dana, a look, it will likely be Kochanowicz's job to lose. After allowing a hefty 11 earned runs over his first seven innings, Kochanowicz allowed just 18 earned runs over his final 58 1/3 innings. During this stretch, he held a solid 2.78 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. He struggled to generate whiffs as he tallied just 20 punchouts but showed elite command as he allowed just seven free passes. Given his low strikeout upside, Kochanowicz should only be targeted in deeper formats if he earns the final spot in the rotation.
The Athletic's Sam Blum has a hunch that the Los Angeles Angels will have right-hander Jack Kochanowicz pitching in a relief role to begin the 2025 season until a spot in the starting rotation becomes available. In addition, Kochanowicz might make more sense out of the bullpen given his limited pitch mix. Sam Bachman, the ninth overall pick in the 2021 draft, is a starter in the Angels' eyes, but if he looks good this spring, he could also have a spot waiting for him in the bullpen. Over 11 starts (65 1/3 innings) in 2024, Kochanowicz had a 3.99 ERA, although he had a 2.78 ERA in his final nine starts. The 24-year-old had a miniscule 9.4% strikeout rate, though, leaving him a very slim path to fantasy relevance moving forward, whether he's in the bullpen or the rotation.
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jack Kochanowicz (1-2) notched his first career win on Sunday as the Halos beat the Washington Nationals 6-4. Kochanowicz gave up two runs on six hits, walked one, and struck out two across 7 2/3 innings. He picked up his first career win on Sunday. According to MLB Pipeline, the 23-year-old ranks as the Angels' No. 9 prospect. He has been back and forth between the Triple-A and the major leagues, but now may be here to stay given his most recent performance. Kochanowicz is scheduled to start Friday against the Atlanta Braves.
Jack Kochanowicz To Make Major-League Debut On Thursday
The Los Angeles Angels are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Jack Kochanowicz from Double-A Rocket City, and he will make his major-league debut and start against the division-rival Seattle Mariners on Thursday in the series opener. In a corresponding move, right-hander Davis Daniel was sent to Triple-A Salt Lake. The team's No. 7 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has gone 5-6 with a 4.55 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with a 79:23 K:BB in 91 innings over 16 starts at Rocket City this year, but he's also thrown complete games in two of his last three outings. The 6-foot-7, 228-pounder has moved to a lower arm slot in the minors and can generate lots of ground balls if he's commanding the ball. His offspeed pitches are a work in progress, though, and his long-term outlook may look more promising as a reliever. Needless to say, he'll be entirely too risky as a fantasy streamer in his big-league debut.
Jack Kochanowicz Goes The Distance In Latest Start
Los Angeles Angels pitching prospect Jack Kochanowicz pitched a complete game in his start on Saturday, making it two complete games in his last three starts for Double-A Rocket City. On Saturday, Kochanowicz gave up one earned run on five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks. The right-hander lowered his season ERA to 4.55 with a 1.27 WHIP. The Angels' No. 7 prospect has 79 strikeouts in 91 innings this season at Double-A. The 23-year-old has not been lights out with Rocket City this year, but his two recent complete games are a step in the right direction. There is a lot of upside with Kochanowicz but there is still some improvement to be made before he makes a big-league debut.
Jack Kochanowicz
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Angels
