Angels GM Minasian Sees Bright Future Despite 13-23 Start and Last Place in MLB

The Los Angeles Angels have struggled for years. Their last winning season came in 2015, 11 years ago. Mike Trout was 23 then. Johnny Giavotella appeared in 129 games. Albert Pujols still played, and Jered Weaver, Hector Santiago and Garrett Richards led the rotation.

Since 2015, the Angels have finished fourth in the American League West six times, last place twice and third once. Their most recent second-place finish in the division was 2017.

Thirty-six games into the 2026 season, they stand at 13-23, last not just in the division but among all 30 MLB teams. They trail the Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals and Chicago White Sox, who lost 121 games two years ago.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian offered optimism in an interview with The Athletic. "Our best baseball is in front of us, there's no doubt about that," he said.

The Angels rank around the middle of MLB in runs scored. Their weighted runs created plus stands at 97, below the league average of 100. Top offenses like those of the Braves, Dodgers and Cubs range from 122 to 124.

"If you look at where you're at on offense, we're in a pretty good spot, relative to the league where we rank in OPS," Minasian said.

Defensively, the Angels rank last in baseball. They have cost the team 15 runs in 36 games. Their team ERA ranks 26th at 4.64. Reid Detmers has performed well since returning to the rotation, and Jose Soriano has posted Cy Young-caliber numbers.

"We've got good arms," Minasian said. "We've got good people. We'll be fine."

Jo Adell, once the No. 1 overall prospect, is 27 and has not developed into a star. He has top-tier power but just four walks in 145 plate appearances this season. Zach Neto has become an above-average player, and Jorge Soler has provided solid production.

Mike Trout, healthy after injury-plagued years, has an OPS+ of 168, 68 percent above league average. He leads MLB with 34 walks against 39 strikeouts and has stolen five bases in 36 games, his most since 2019. Trout turns 35 in August.

The Angels face questions about their direction. Their farm system lacks depth, and top prospects have not panned out.