Can the Backstop Bounceback? A 2026 Outlook on Logan O’Hoppe
January 28, 2025 - Written by Cruz Cambero
Angels 2026 HR projections via THE BAT X (@fangraphs)
— SleeperAngels (@SleeperAngels) January 5, 2026
1. Jo Adell: 33
2. Mike Trout: 28
3. Zach Neto: 27
4. Jorge Soler: 26
5. Logan O’Hoppe: 19 pic.twitter.com/e2KC0QcF7T
Logan O’Hoppe had a disappointing 2025 season after looking like a breakout candidate in 2024. He emerged as a key piece for the Angels that year, hitting .244 while slugging 20 home runs. Advanced metrics supported his surface-level production, as he posted a 2.4 WAR, well above average for a catcher. Many analysts believed O’Hoppe had the potential to earn All-Star consideration or even a Silver Slugger award. However, he failed to live up to that hype in 2025.
At the plate, O’Hoppe struggled mightily, finishing with a .213 batting average and a .258 on-base percentage. His WAR plummeted to minus 0.2, placing him below league average not only among catchers but among all hitters. While the offensive regression was concerning, the most troubling aspect of his season came on the defensive side of the ball.
According to Baseball Savant, O’Hoppe graded out as an average defensive catcher in 2024. Metrics such as blocking, caught stealing, and framing all hovered around league average, with pop time being his lone below-average category. In 2025, those defensive metrics dropped sharply. O’Hoppe ranked well below average across all three categories, turning him into a defensive liability behind the plate. As a result, Travis d’Arnaud was frequently substituted in late-game situations due to his reliability and experience. This loss of trust directly impacted O’Hoppe’s playing time, as his plate appearances dropped by roughly 70. His inability to contribute offensively or defensively made it difficult for the Angels to keep him in the lineup.
Despite those struggles, 2026 presents a strong opportunity for a turnaround. One major reason for optimism is the Angels’ revamped coaching staff. The hiring of Kurt Suzuki as manager and the addition of former Angel Max Stassi as catching coach could be pivotal for O’Hoppe’s development. Suzuki was a capable defensive catcher and remained productive offensively even late in his career. Stassi, meanwhile, was elite defensively and graded in the top tier among catchers on Baseball Savant during his time with the Angels. While pop time was also his primary weakness, his overall defensive instincts and preparation stood out.
With Stassi’s guidance and the veteran presence of d’Arnaud, O’Hoppe has a clear path to returning to at least league-average defense. Improved game-calling, framing, and throwing mechanics could also help him become a legitimate deterrent to opposing baserunners. More importantly, consistent mentorship from experienced catchers should help him regain confidence and stabilize his performance behind the plate.
Offensively, there are also strong reasons not to panic. Despite his poor results in 2025, O’Hoppe’s underlying metrics remained encouraging. His average exit velocity, barrel percentage, and hard-hit rate all ranked in the “great” tier on Baseball Savant. In today’s three-outcome-focused game, those indicators often point to future success rather than continued struggles. High barrel and hard-hit rates suggest that O’Hoppe was frequently making quality contact but suffered from poor luck on balls in play.
Strikeouts were another issue, though this was a problem across the Angels’ lineup. The organization has openly acknowledged this flaw and emphasized improving the plate approach as a priority. With better discipline and a refined approach, O’Hoppe’s batted-ball luck should normalize. A reasonable projection for 2026 would be a batting average around .240 with more than 25 home runs, production that would place him comfortably above average at the catcher position.
While Logan O’Hoppe’s 2025 season was undeniably disappointing, it should not define his career trajectory. His struggles were real, but the underlying talent remains evident on both sides of the ball. With improved coaching, veteran leadership, and a renewed organizational focus on development, O’Hoppe is well-positioned to bounce back in 2026. By pairing his raw power with better plate discipline and improved defensive consistency, O’Hoppe could once again emerge as one of the Angels’ most valuable long-term core pieces.
Disclaimer : (1) All photos are not owned by InsideHalos and have been given proper credit beneath each photo. (2) Links of players are property of MLB, MiLB, and Baseball Reference. (3) InsideHalos is a fan-made site not affiliated with Angels Baseball.
