The Angels Bullpen Outlook for 2025: Strengths, Questions, and Key Players

With Opening Day just one week away, the Los Angeles Angels are set to enter the

2025 season with an intriguing bullpen mix. The relief corps plays a crucial role in any team’s success, and this year’s group carries a blend of experience, electric stuff, and a few question marks. Today, we’re breaking down the key innings and the arms that will define them.

The Lockdown Innings: The 7th, 8th, and 9th

In modern baseball, the final three innings are often the most important. If a team has a reliable trio to close out games, they’re in great shape. The Angels appear to have that, starting with a Hall of Fame-caliber presence at the back end.

The 9th Inning – Kenley Jansen’s Domain

The Angels made a statement by securing veteran closer Kenley Jansen to anchor the bullpen. A future Hall of Famer, Jansen brings an incredible track record of success, with over 400 career saves and a reputation for dominance in high-pressure situations. Having him in the ninth inning is a luxury the Angels haven’t had in recent years, and his experience will be invaluable in tight games.

The 8th Inning – Ben Joyce, The Closer of the Future

Ben Joyce, armed with a 100+ mph fastball, is primed to take over the eighth-inning role. With elite velocity and a developing arsenal, Joyce has all the makings of a future closer, and learning under Jansen should only accelerate his growth. If he can harness his command and maintain consistency, he’ll be a dominant force in the late innings for years to come.

The 7th Inning – A Two-Headed Monster: Zeferjahn & Burke

The Angels will rely on a combination of Ryan Zeferjahn and Brock Burke to bridge the gap to the late-inning arms. Zeferjahn showed flashes of brilliance last season, featuring overpowering stuff that could make him a high-leverage weapon. Burke, a left-hander with elite swing-and-miss potential, brings balance to the mix. If these two can provide reliable innings, the Angels' bullpen will be significantly deeper than in past years.

The Long-Relief Role: José Suarez

Every bullpen needs a reliable long reliever, and for the Angels, José Suarez fits the bill. While his role isn’t as glamorous as the high-leverage guys, he’ll be counted on to eat innings and save the rest of the pen on days when the starters struggle. If he can provide value in this role, it will go a long way in keeping the bullpen fresh.

The Wild Card: José Quijada

Perhaps the biggest X-factor in the bullpen is José Quijada. On his best days, he can dominate hitters with a mix of deception and velocity. On his worst, he can be completely unpredictable. If he can harness his best self more consistently, he could be an extremely valuable piece that the Angels can deploy in a variety of situations.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Angels bullpen has the potential to be a strength, especially with a proven closer in Jansen and a young flamethrower in Joyce waiting in the wings. The key to success will be consistency—if Zeferjahn and Burke step up, and if Quijada can find stability, this group could help the Angels secure far more wins in the late innings. With Opening Day just around the corner, all eyes will be on how this unit performs when the pressure is on.