The Los Angeles Angels recently sent pitcher Jack Kochanowicz back to their Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake after another poor start. Despite this being the second time in a month he has been optioned down to work on his performance, the team has not officially announced the move. This quiet demotion has raised serious questions about Kochanowicz’s chances of returning to the major league roster during the 2025 season.
Kochanowicz, just 24 years old, has struggled throughout the year, and this latest decision suggests the Angels may no longer consider him part of their immediate pitching plans. The uncertainty surrounding his status reflects growing concerns within the organization about their ability to develop starting pitchers effectively.
Uncertain Future for Kochanowicz After Being Removed From Rotation
Interim Angels manager Ray Montgomery addressed the decision to remove Kochanowicz from the starting rotation during a postgame press conference. When asked about the pitcher’s status, Montgomery said,
“We’ll see. Everything is on the table,”
indicating that no definitive plans had been made public yet regarding Kochanowicz’s future with the team.
The absence of an official announcement coincided with a transaction log update that quietly confirmed the demotion, attracting attention from fans and analysts alike. Jeff Fletcher, a reporter covering the Angels, tweeted,
“It seems the Angels quietly sent down Jack Kochanowicz tonight. The team has made no announcement yet but this appeared on the official transaction log.”
Concerns About Angels’ Pitching Development and Strategy
The repeated struggles of Kochanowicz have intensified criticism of the Angels’ approach to pitching development. Throughout the season, the organization has leaned heavily on him as a key part of their future plans but seemingly without providing sufficient support or alternatives. His confidence has suffered, and adjustments from the coaching staff and front office have remained minimal despite obvious performance issues.
One simple potential adjustment involved swapping Kochanowicz’s role with that of long reliever Carson Fulmer, who has performed well and could potentially stabilize the rotation. Instead, the Angels appear to be sidelining Kochanowicz entirely, choosing to keep him out of sight rather than modifying his role. Despite Kochanowicz not delivering a quality start since mid-May, the team maintained him as a starter rather than shifting him to the bullpen, a move that successfully revitalized pitchers like Fulmer and Reid Detmers earlier in the season.
Possible Alternatives for Strengthening the Angels’ Pitching Staff
With Kochanowicz’s status unclear, the Angels might turn to other pitching prospects to fill gaps in their starting rotation or bullpen. Promising arms such as Caden Dana, Sam Aldegheri, Ryan Johnson, and Víctor Mederos could be called up to provide innings from the bullpen. Other possible options include Sam Bachman, José Fermin, or Chase Silseth, who could serve as more traditional relievers.
There is also speculation about more unconventional choices. George Klassen, normally a starter, might be transitioned into a relief role, or the team could activate Robert Stephenson from the injured list—although the likelihood of that is low. These moves highlight the precarious state of the Angels’ pitching staff as they search for solutions.
What This Means for the 2025 Season and Beyond
The quiet demotion of Kochanowicz signals significant uncertainty about the pitcher’s future with the Angels and the direction of the team’s pitching development strategy. If Kochanowicz is unable to reclaim a spot in the major leagues, the club will need to rely heavily on other young prospects and internal adjustments to stabilize their rotation.
This situation underscores the wider challenges the Angels face in building a consistent and reliable pitching staff. How the organization responds in the coming weeks could have a lasting impact on the team’s competitiveness for the remainder of the 2025 season and beyond.