One of the more underrated moves during the 2021 season was the acquisition of Logan O’Hoppe from the Philadelphia Phillies. Once Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian made the call to bring the 23-year-old over via trade, he immediately became the team’s No. 1 prospect.
A 23rd-round selection by the Phillies in the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft, O’Hoppe rapidly rose through the Minor League ranks. But with J.T. Realmuto cemented as their starting backstop in MLB, and some underwhelming Triple-A results in 2021, they felt comfortable enough to deal him to the Angels.
The move benefitted the Angels on a few fronts, providing them with a high-upside catcher while finding a new home for Brandon Marsh with the Phillies.
O’Hoppe was recently listed among the best young catching prospects in all of baseball according to MLB Pipeline.
The future behind the dish is bright. pic.twitter.com/RbASErfW5D
— MLB (@MLB) January 18, 2023
Also making the list coming in at No. 10 is 19-year-old Edgar Quero, who was signed by the Angels out of Cienfuegos, Cuba in early 2021. Since then he’s logged 70 extra-base hits in 150 games, with 54 of them coming this past season.
The switch hitter exploded in the Cal League, leading the organization with 35 doubles, 86 runs scored, a .435 on-base percentage, .530 slugging percentage and .965 OPS.
Having two catchers listed within the top 10 prospects around MLB is a feat in and of itself, because Francisco Álvarez, Diego Cartaya, Kevin Parada and Harry Ford are highly regarded around MLB.
Former Angels right-hander Michael Lorenzen credited O’Hoppe after his big league debut last season, highlighting O’Hoppe’s preparation and composure.
After lining a base hit to center in his first career MLB at-bat, he seemed grateful for the moment, speaking to his focus and game plan coming into the night.
Logan O’Hoppe and his performance during the 2022 season
O’Hoppe was the No. 3 ranked prospect in the Phillies system at the time of the trade, batting .275/.392/.496 with 11 doubles, 15 home runs and 45 RBI for the Phillies’ Double-A affiliate.
He began his tenure with the Angels’ Double-A affiliate Trash City Pandas and continued raking. He batted a stellar .306/.473/.674 with three doubles, 11 home runs and 33 RBI to go along with 29 walks against 22 strikeouts in 29 games.
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