After right-handed pitcher Jack Kochanowicz was placed on the injured list due to elbow inflammation, the Los Angeles Angels had to decide who would take his position. They chose Sam Aldegheri, but it’s reasonable to question whether it was the right choice.
For the Angels in 2026, Aldegheri’s stats have been fairly strong. After 12 innings pitched, his ERA is 2.25. He tossed a scoreless inning in his most recent game against the Houston Astros. However, whether he is truly the greatest long-term option is still debatable.
Currently in Triple-A, Caden Dana could easily take Kochanowicz’s place in the rotation. With a 4.31 ERA, 34 strikeouts, and 16 walks, he has made eight starts this season.
He is pitching in the Pacific Coast League, which is renowned for being hitter-friendly, so those numbers don’t immediately stand out. Dana has actually thrown rather effectively; the lowest ERA for a qualified starter in the PCL is 3.46.
Dana’s big league stats have undoubtedly fallen short of expectations. In 42 and 2/3 innings over the past two seasons with the Angels, he has a 7.17 ERA. However, there is cause for optimism that his big league performance will be better this time around because his minor league numbers have much improved from the previous season.
Angels have higher-upside options other than Aldegheri
What about George Klassen, if not Dana? Earlier in 2026, he was called up to the major leagues for a brief period of time, but he struggled, pitching 4 and 2/3 innings with an ERA of 11.57. He was sent back down since he walked an unsettling ten batters and it appeared that he wasn’t nearly ready.
He initially struggled after being demoted to Triple-A. However, in his most recent starts, he has somewhat calmed things down. He has tossed five innings and given up two earned runs or fewer in each of his three starts since May 26. He’s making progress, but the walks are still a problem.
Compare their stats to those of Aldegheri, who has a 7.24 ERA this season in Triple-A. It’s reasonable to question whether his big league stats are somewhat of a mirage given that he has only struck out 32 batters and walked 23 in 46 innings.
They will stick with the lefty for the time being, but if he struggles, the Angels should definitely switch to either Dana or Klassen because they both have more potential and have demonstrated greater promise in Triple-A.
