Three Underrated Angels Who Could Turn the Tide in 2026
The Los Angeles Angels aren't exactly the talk of the town this season. They finished last in the American League West in 2025, and no one's expecting them to light the world on fire just yet. PECOTA projections don't paint a rosier picture, predicting another last-place finish. But here's the twist: failure for the 2026 Angels could mean staying at the bottom of the division, while success might just be finishing higher or getting closer to a .500 record. It'll take some luck and maybe a few hidden gems on the team to make that happen.
Let's take a closer look at three underrated players who could be the key to the Angels' escape from the cellar in 2026.
- Bryce Teodosio: The Center Field Savior?
The Angels are in a bit of a pickle when it comes to center field. Mike Trout is willing to play there, but his age might make it a risky move. Enter Bryce Teodosio, who showed some promise last season. He graded as a top-10 center fielder defensively, even if his batting average didn't quite match up. But what if 2026 is the year Teodosio turns things around? A league-average hitter with stellar defense could be the game-changer the Angels need.
In 2024, Teodosio slashed .276/.339/.418 with 5 homers, 51 RBIs, and 40 stolen bases in 114 games at Triple-A. The Angels are hoping for a similar performance in the majors this season.
- Ben Joyce: The Late-Inning Hero?
Another question mark for the Angels is their closer. Robert Stephenson is the front-runner, but Ben Joyce is a dark horse worth watching. Joyce brings the heat with incredible velocity, regularly hitting triple digits on the radar gun. However, injuries have been a hurdle in his big league career. Still, his 2.08 ERA in 31 appearances in 2024 gives the Angels reason to believe he can be a late-inning savior in 2026.
- Vaughn Grissom: The Sneaky Second Baseman?
The Angels acquired Vaughn Grissom from the Boston Red Sox in the offseason. While he hasn't exactly lit up the big leagues, his Triple-A numbers in 2025 are worth noting. Grissom slashed .270/.342/.441 with 13 homers and 48 RBIs in 96 games. He's a sneaky candidate to challenge Christian Moore at second base. No one's counting the Angels out, and if these three players step up, they might just surprise everyone and exceed expectations.
