Bold claim: the 2026 Los Angeles Angels could flip from underdogs to potential league surprises if three overlooked players seize their moments. The team isn’t expected to surge, especially after finishing last in the AL West in 2025 and with PECOTA forecasting more of the same. Yet success for the 2026 Angels isn’t necessarily about winning the division outright; it could mean climbing the standings or nudging their pace toward a .500 record. To pull that off, a few unlikely contributors would need to break through and deliver far more than their current profiles suggest. Here are three relatively quiet contributors who might tilt the balance if everything aligns in their favor.
Bryce Teodosio
A central question for the Angels this season is who will patrol center field. Mike Trout has expressed willingness to play there, but at this stage of his career that arrangement carries risk. In the absence of a clear, everyday center fielder, the club could turn to someone like Josh Lowe, who has experience in center but isn’t a perfect long-term fit for the position.
Teodosio emerged as a defensively elite option in center, posting top-10 defensive metrics in a limited sample last season. The knock against him has been offense—he hasn’t hit at a level that would justify regular playing time. But what if 2026 marks a turning point and he becomes a league-average hitter? If his defense remains a strength and his bat shows tangible improvement, Teodosio could fundamentally shift how the Angels cover the outfield, unlocking more favorable lineups and defensive alignments for the team.
In 2024, Teodosio delivered a .276/.339/.418 line with five home runs, 51 RBIs, and 40 stolen bases across 114 Triple-A games. Translating even a portion of that promise to the majors this year could provide a much-needed spark, turning a question mark into a productive contributor.
Ben Joyce
Another pivotal piece is the back end of the bullpen. The closing role is in question for 2026, with Robert Stephenson seemingly holding the early edge but plenty of room for competition. Ben Joyce stands out as a high-ceiling option whose velocity is electric—often triple-digit on the radar gun. His track record includes injury challenges in the big leagues, which have tempered his overall impact so far.
Joyce flashed potential with a 2.08 ERA in 31 appearances in 2024, suggesting he could emerge as a trusted late-inning option if he can stay healthy and build consistency. If he can combine durability with the electric stuff that makes hitters uncomfortable, Joyce could become the Angels’ closer-in-waiting or at least a reliable high-leverage arm that shortens games when it matters most.
Vaughn Grissom
The Angels acquired Vaughn Grissom from Boston in the offseason, giving them a young infielder with a path to more regular at-bats. At 25, Grissom has not yet produced eye-catching MLB numbers, but his Triple-A performance in 2025 hints at upside. In 96 games at the top minor league level, he hit .270/.342/.441 with 13 homers and 48 RBIs.
Grissom represents a left-field/second-base versatility option who could push for time and potentially challenge Christian Moore at second base. His blend of on-base ability and power could translate into a meaningful breakout if he carries that minor-league success into the majors and is able to seize everyday opportunities.
Conclusion
The Angels aren’t poised for a dramatic overhaul in 2026, and the odds still tilt against a field-wide leap. However, if Teodosio, Joyce, and Grissom perform closer to their ceilings than their reputations would suggest, they could collectively uplift the club beyond the beds of expectation. A few breaks here and there—health, contact, and command—could compound into a season that looks very different from the one people anticipate. If you were to ask the question of whether these three players could catapult the Angels to a more competitive finish, the answer hinges on a blend of improvement, opportunity, and timing. Do you think these three breakout possibilities could reshape the team’s trajectory in 2026, or do you see other players carrying the load instead?
