The Los Angeles Angels' pitching prospects are poised to make a splash in 2026, with a trio of young pitchers ready to take the minor league scene by storm. But who are these up-and-coming stars, and what makes them so promising? Let's dive into the Angels' minor league system and explore the potential breakout stars at each level.
Triple-A: George Klassen - The Dominant Right-Hander
George Klassen, a right-handed pitcher, had a forgettable 2025 season after being struck in the head by a line drive early on. However, he showed glimpses of his dominance in his final five games, striking out 40 batters and allowing just five earned runs in 29 innings pitched. His Triple-A debut at the end of the season demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level of the minor leagues. With a full offseason of improvement, Klassen could become the best pitching prospect in the Angels' organization and one of the most promising young arms in the league.
Double-A: Ryan Johnson - The Comeback Kid
Ryan Johnson made history when he was selected to the Angels' Opening Day roster in 2025, despite never pitching in the minor leagues after being drafted. However, his ERA skyrocketed north of seven in the big leagues, and he was sent down to Single-A to restart his development as a starting pitcher. After posting a 1.88 ERA in Single-A, Johnson will surely begin his 2026 campaign in Double-A. The best news for the Angels and their fans is that Johnson has not lost what made him great as a draft prospect. With his strikeouts and impressive ability to command the strike zone, Johnson could make a comeback in Double-A and maybe even make it all the way back to Anaheim.
Single-A: Trey Gregory-Alford - The Young Right-Hander
Trey Gregory-Alford, an 11th-round pick in 2024, took off the remainder of the year from competitive pitching, but 2025 reminded everyone why the Angels gave him a signing bonus worthy of a second-round pick. At just 19 years old, Gregory-Alford dominated in six starts at Single-A, posting a 1.42 ERA. While he is an exciting prospect, especially given his age, Gregory-Alford has a lot of work to do to move up in the farm system. With 13 walks to 20 strikeouts in Single-A last season, his slider and changeup still need work before they are MLB-caliber strikeout pitches. However, his velocity gain and further development of his secondary pitches could catapult him up the prospect rankings from around the league.
