The Los Angeles Angels have once again demoted starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz to their Triple-A affiliate as he works to regain his form and confidence in Major League Baseball. This move, which marks the second time Kochanowicz has been sent down this season, comes amid inconsistent performances that have challenged both the pitcher and the Angels’ rotation.
Kochanowicz’s Career and Performance Challenges This Season
Drafted in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft, Kochanowicz emerged as a promising pitching prospect for the Angels, a team in need of reliable arms. Now in his second major league season, Kochanowicz has experienced significant ups and downs, struggling to find consistency. Prior to this latest demotion, he was also sent down just before the All-Star break.
This season, Kochanowicz carries a 6.19 ERA, paired with a fielding independent pitching (FIP) of 5.66 and a strikeout rate of 5.93 per nine innings. According to advanced metrics provided by FanGraphs, his stuff+ rates at 96, location+ at 93, and overall pitching+ at 90—all of which are below average, underscoring difficulties with his pitch quality and command. Additionally, his expected ERA and batting average place him in the 12th and 11th percentiles respectively, while his average exit velocity and strikeout rate rank near the bottom of the league.
Although Kochanowicz throws a fastball averaging 95.6 mph, placing him in the 71st percentile for velocity, hitters have frequently been able to make solid contact. Last season showed similar issues regarding strikeouts, but with better command, as evidenced by an 88th percentile walk rate and fewer barrels allowed.
Manager Ray Montgomery’s Perspective on the Demotion
Interim Angels manager Ray Montgomery has expressed optimism that Kochanowicz’s stint in the minors will help rebuild his confidence and mental readiness. Montgomery explained,
“The biggest thing is when you’re searching for confidence, you have to have a little bit of gains and some successes that give you more of that,” —Ray Montgomery, Interim Manager
“I think taking the pressure off, going there and having the opportunity to stretch out, get to some secondary stuff and work on some of those things, will be a big help.” —Ray Montgomery, Interim Manager
Development Difficulties Highlight a Larger Issue for Angels’ Pitching Prospects
The Angels have faced ongoing challenges in nurturing young starting pitching talent, frequently advancing pitchers rapidly through the minor league system only to see them stall or struggle upon reaching the majors. This pattern of promoting and demoting players has led to an unstable development pipeline, impeding prospects like Kochanowicz from establishing themselves firmly.
Some pitchers, such as Griffin Canning, have found success after leaving the Angels’ organization, intensifying concerns about Los Angeles’s ability to develop and retain productive starters. The trajectory of Kochanowicz’s career will be critical to the Angels’ efforts to improve their approach and avoid further setbacks with promising pitchers.
What Lies Ahead for Kochanowicz and the Angels’ Rotation
The repeated demotion of Jack Kochanowicz serves as a key juncture in his development and the overall direction of the Angels’ pitching staff. As the organization seeks consistent and effective starting pitching, Kochanowicz’s progress in the minors will be closely watched to determine his readiness to return to the majors. Success at this stage could provide not only a needed boost for the pitcher but also a stabilizing factor in Los Angeles’s pitching depth moving forward.