Kochanowicz did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 3-2 win over the White Sox, pitching six innings while allowing two runs on four hits and no walks. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old required only 64 pitches, 47 of which were strikes, to secure his ninth career quality start, incredibly achieved in just 12 games started. Kochanowicz allowed both runs in a shaky first inning that saw him yield a leadoff homer to Nick Maton and run-scoring single to Matt Thaiss. However, after Thaiss's hit, Kochanowicz retired 14 of the next 16 batters faced while inducing four punchouts. The Angels right-hander is currently slated to make his next start against the Guardians at home next weekend.

Angels manager Ron Washington said Monday that Kochanowicz will open the season as the team's fifth starter, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

He beat out Reid Detmers, who will begin the season in the bullpen. Kochanowicz earned the spot after holding a 2.92 ERA and 7:4 K:BB over 12.1 innings covering four Cactus League starts. The 6-foot-7 righty had just a 9.4 percent strikeout rate in 11 starts with the Angels last season, but the club will bet on the sinkerballer producing enough grounders to make up for his lack of bat-missing ability.

Kochanowicz tossed four perfect innings with two strikeouts in a Cactus League start against Cincinnati on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Kochanowicz was ultra efficient in the outing, needing just 44 pitches to get through four frames. In fact, the righty was so efficient that he threw more pitches in the bullpen following his departure from the game. Kochanowicz is competing with Reid Detmers for the Angels' fifth-starter role this spring. While Detmers has been fine with a 3.52 ERA and 4:2 K:BB over 7.2 innings, Kochanowicz has been better, giving up just one earned run and posting a 6:1 K:BB across nine frames.

Kochanowicz pitched three scoreless innings in a Cactus League contest against Cleveland on Tuesday, allowing three hits and striking out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

Kochanowicz was scratched from his previous start due to an illness, but he looked no worse for wear in his return to the mound. The 24-year-old righty has given up just one earned run while posting a 4:1 K:BB over five innings this spring. Kochanowicz and Reid Detmers are the leading candidates for the Angels' fifth-starter role, with how each pitcher performs in exhibition play likely to determine who gets the job.

Kochanowicz (illness) will throw a simulated game Friday and is expected to start Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Guardians, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander was unable to start as scheduled Thursday due to an illness, but his return to the mound a day later indicates there's no cause for concern. Kochanowicz posted a 3.99 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB across 65.1 innings as a rookie last year and is competing in spring training for the No. 5 spot in the Halos' rotation.

Kochanowicz was unable to start Thursday's Cactus League game against the Cubs as planned due to an illness, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kochanowicz has been sick this week, and while the Angels were holding out hope he could be ready to take the ball Thursday, he's not up to it yet. Caden Dana will draw the start for the Halos instead. Kochanowicz has already made one start this spring and should be ready to pitch again in a few days. He's competing for the final spot in the Angels rotation.

Kochanowicz allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and one walk while striking out three batters over two innings in a Cactus League start against Seattle on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Kochanowicz is vying for the Angels' fifth-starter opening, so each of his outings this spring could have an impact on his role to begin the regular season. The right-hander began his spring debut Saturday with a 1-2-3 frame but then struggled in the second inning, allowing a pair of singles and a walk to yield two runs before striking out the final two batters he faced. Reid Detmers, who may be Kochanowicz's top competition for a rotation spot, is slated to pitch for the Angels against Cleveland on Sunday.

Kochanowicz may have a leg up to open the 2025 season as the Angels' fifth starter, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Newcomers Yusei Kikuchi and Kyle Hendricks appear set to join Tyler Anderson and Jose Soriano in the rotation, which leaves one spot up for grabs. Reid Detmers and Chase Silseth (elbow) will almost certainly compete for that slot during spring training, and youngsters Caden Dana, George Klassen and Sam Aldegheri could be in the mix as well, but Bollinger considers Kochanowicz to be the favorite based on his strong finish last year. Over his last nine starts, Kochanowicz posted a 2.78 ERA over 58.1 innings and hurled eight quality starts, though he struck out a meager 20 batters during that span. The latter figure limits his fantasy stock quite a bit, and there's no guarantee that he'll even open the campaign in the majors if he struggles in exhibition play.

Kochanowicz (2-6) yielded three runs on six hits and a walk over seven innings Sunday, striking out one and taking a loss against Texas.

EDGE Analysis

Kochanowicz gave up just one run through six frames before the Rangers tallied a pair in the seventh inning. He closed his season with three straight seven-inning performances, earning a quality start in each. Kochanowicz posted a solid 3.99 ERA through 65.1 innings as a rookie but his 25:10 K:BB didn't provide much fantasy upside. He posted a 2.77 ERA over his last nine starts of the year.

Kochanowicz came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the White Sox, allowing three hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie right-hander was impressive, albeit against a historically inept foe, as he delivered his seventh quality start in eight trips to the mound since he joined the rotation for good in August. The Angels' bullpen melted down in the eighth inning though, denying him his first win in September. Kochanowicz has a 2.63 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 51.1 innings over that eight-start stretch despite a 19:6 K:BB that limits his ceiling in many fantasy formats. He lines up to make one more start in 2024, at home Sunday against the Rangers.