O’Hoppe progressing toward potential late summer return

This story was excerpted from Rhett Bollinger’s Angels Beat publication. To learn the complete publication, click here. And subscribe to get it often in your inbox.

ANAHEIM — When catcher Logan O’Hoppe underwent surgical procedure to restore a torn labrum in his left shoulder on April 25, there was an opportunity he could possibly be out for the season.

The preliminary timeline was 4 to 6 months, which meant O’Hoppe could possibly be out by means of September. However O’Hoppe, ranked because the membership’s No. 1 prospect and the No. 29 general prospect by MLB Pipeline, made it his mission to return on the earlier finish of that spectrum. And he’s now on observe to doubtlessly return sooner or later in late August, which needs to be a lift for the Angels.

O’Hoppe, 23, progressed to hitting off a tee on Saturday and is ready to start out collaborating in additional baseball actions subsequent week, together with getting behind the plate and receiving and throwing. He’s been taking part in catch with none points and can proceed to ramp up his hitting, transferring as much as tender toss earlier than taking batting apply.

O’Hoppe made a huge impact with the Angels early this season earlier than his damage, hitting .283/.339/.547 with 4 homers and 13 RBIs in 16 video games. However he’s prone to want a rehab task earlier than returning to motion, given how lengthy he’s been out.

Supervisor Phil Nevin, although, has been impressed with O’Hoppe’s work ethic and famous that he provides enter throughout pregame conferences with the catchers and pitchers and has charted each pitch since his damage.

“I believe it’s two-fold,” Nevin stated. “He’s actually good together with his preparation and our recreation planning. He has lots of enter on that. However he additionally will get that studying curve sitting within the dugout and watching the sport. It kinda slows it down slightly bit.

“And he’s charted each recreation and each pitch since he is been harm. Even after we’re on the highway, he is sitting there watching TV and charting pitches and understanding methods to assault hitters. And following the sport plans that all of us make for the gamers.”

Right here’s a take a look at how different Angels’ prospects are faring at every of their 4 Minor League associates:

Triple-A Salt Lake: OF Jordyn Adams
Adams, ranked because the membership’s No. 26 prospect by MLB Pipeline, has rebounded from a tricky 12 months offensively final season and has been faring nicely at Triple-A, hitting .260/.342/.467 with 12 homers, 31 stolen bases and 56 RBIs in 76 video games. He nonetheless wants to chop down on his strikeouts — he’s struck out 93 occasions in 334 plate appearances — however he’s proven energy and velocity. The 23-year-old can also be thought of a powerful defender in any respect three outfield spots.

Double-A Rocket Metropolis: UT Jeremiah Jackson
Jackson has been heating up offensively with Double-A Rocket Metropolis, hitting .265/.351/.706 with eight homers, six doubles and 19 RBIs over his final 18 video games. Jackson, ranked because the membership’s No. 12 prospecthas additionally been displaying his versatility defensively, seeing motion at shortstop, second base, third base, left discipline and heart discipline. He additionally made an incredible diving catch whereas taking part in second base to remove a success on Friday.

Excessive-A Tri-Metropolis: RHP Caden Dana
The Angels signed Dana for over slot for almost $1.5 million after taking him within the eleventh spherical of the 2022 Draft and the early returns have been spectacular for the 19-year-old. Dana, the membership’s No. 9 prospectdominated in two begins with Single-A Inland Empire, incomes a promotion to Excessive-A in late April. He’s posted a 4.22 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings in 11 begins with Tri-Metropolis regardless of being 4 years youthful than the common competitors.

Single-A Inland Empire: RHP Walbert Urena
Urena, 19, began off sluggish at Single-A however has been pitching a lot better lately, posting a 2.14 ERA over his final 4 begins. Urena, ranked because the membership’s No. 14 prospecthas struck out 22 batters and walked 9 batters over 21 innings throughout that span. He’s a tough thrower, as his fastball has touched as excessive as 102 mph and sits within the excessive 90s. He pairs it with a strong changeup and a growing slider.