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.

Kochanowicz came away with a no-decision Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits over seven innings in a 4-3 extra-innings win over the White Sox. He struck out five without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie right-hander produced his sixth quality start in his last seven trips to the mound as he solidifies a spot in the Angels' rotation plans for 2025. Over that stretch, Kochanowicz has posted a 3.05 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 44.1 innings despite a sub-par 15:6 K:BB. In fact, Wednesday's five strikeouts were a new career high for the 23-year-old. Kochanowicz lines up to make his next start on the road next week in a rematch with the White Sox.

Kochanowicz (2-5) allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out three over 5.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

A three-run fourth inning was enough to send Kochanowicz to his second straight loss. He had posted five straight quality starts before Wednesday's outing fell short of that threshold. The rookie right-hander is now at a 5.08 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 15:9 K:BB through 44.1 innings over eight starts. He's projected for a favorable home start versus the White Sox in his next outing.

Kochanowicz (2-4) took the loss against the Rangers on Thursday, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk over six innings. He did not record a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Kochanowicz struggled out of the gate, allowing singles to two of the first three batters he faced before surrendering a three-run homer to Adolis Garcia. However, the right-hander did show some poise as he went on to shut out Texas over the next five innings to log his fifth consecutive quality start, despite also taking his fourth loss of the campaign. Kochanowicz failed to record a strikeout for only the second time in seven starts, and he's still yet to surpass the four-strikeout mark in any outing this season.

Kochanowicz (2-4) earned the victory Thursday, allowing five hits and no walks over six scoreless innings against the Tigers. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Kochanowicz was great over six scoreless innings on Thursday, and for the first time in his short career he kept an opponent off the scoreboard. Kochanowicz allowed 12 runs in his first two starts but has pitched much better as of late, giving up seven runs combined over his last four starts. The rookie right-hander has a 2.45 ERA in those four starts but only has seven strikeouts over 25.2 innings.

Kochanowicz finished with a no-decision in Friday's 5-4 loss against the Blue Jays. He gave up three runs on seven hits with one strikeout over six innings.

EDGE Analysis

Kochanowicz pitched well on Friday to pick up his third consecutive quality start. The rookie right-hander got sent down after allowing 12 runs in his first two career starts but has looked much better since his recent callup. The six-foot-seven hurler has a 3.20 ERA in his last three starts but has just three strikeouts in the span. He's scheduled for a road start against the Tigers next.

Kochanowicz (1-3) took the loss Sunday against Atlanta, allowing two runs on seven hits and three walks in six innings. He did not strike out a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Kochanowicz nearly escaped the first inning clean, but Atlanta was able to scratch a run across. They tacked on a second when Ramon Laureano took him deep to open up the fourth to make it a 2-0 game. He's given the Angels some excellent length in his two recent starts, though he did post a 2:4 K:BB in 13.2 innings, so there hasn't been much swing-and-miss with his pitches. He's also given up a home run in all four of his starts thus far. The 23-year-old owns a 6.53 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 7:7 K:BB in 20.2 innings. He lines up for a road start against the Blue Jays his next time taking the mound.

Kochanowicz is scheduled to start Sunday against Atlanta at Angel Stadium.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie right-hander will make a second straight turn through the rotation and stick around as the club's No. 5 starter over Davis Daniel, who was optioned to Triple-A Salt on Tuesday. Kochanowicz struck out two batters and allowed just two runs over 7.2 innings en route to claiming his first big-league victory his last time out Sunday against the Nationals, but the 23-year-old was lit up for 12 runs (11 earned) in seven innings across his first two starts with the Angels back in July before he was sent back to the minors.