Two Catchers Competing This Spring For Angels Starting Job

Logan O'Hoppe has been competing with Max Stassi for the starting catcher position during Spring Training, but has already gotten the opportunity to catch for Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Angels' two-way star.

In his debut game, O'Hoppe looked comfortable behind the plate, which impressed the team's catching coach, Bill Haselman.

O'Hoppe is being touted as the future catcher for the Anaheim Angels, following his arrival in a trade deal that sent Brandon Marsh to the Philadelphia Phillies last year. While he made his major league debut with the Angels last year, O'Hoppe spent most of the season at the Double-A level, where he hit .283/.416/.544 with 26 home runs and seven steals in 104 games.

The twenty-three-year-old also boasted a strong 15.7% walk rate and 16.6% strikeout rate. However, the Angels are yet to confirm whether O'Hoppe will start in the majors this season or spend some more time in the minors.

Berm ball!

Logan O'Hoppe, MLB's No. 53 prospect, goes yard for the @Angels. pic.twitter.com/zk7PmDgAFi
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) February 28, 2023

While Stassi has had more opportunities catching for Ohtani over the past few years, his offensive slump last season has opened the door for O'Hoppe to potentially take over the starting spot. However, Angels manager Phil Nevin has emphasized that the team is not giving O'Hoppe any more of an edge over other catchers, and that the opportunity to catch for Ohtani is just to get him used to the pitcher's style.

Last season, the thirty-one-year-old posted a .180/.267/.303 triple-slash line, nine home runs, 30 RBIs and 32 runs scored over 102 games.