O'Hoppe's Performance Shift
Angels' Logan O'Hoppe confronts roster anxiety, makes changes to improve performance.
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Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe admitted that anxiety over losing his roster spot drove him to overhaul his entire defensive approach. After two straight months of poor play — including a 31% strikeout rate, among the worst for MLB catchers — O'Hoppe decided enough was enough. OC Register reported that he has begun reverting to an "old-school" two-knee catching stance, moving away from the one-knee style he had adopted in recent seasons.
The changes began during a homestand against the Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers in late May. O'Hoppe's framing numbers — how well a catcher gets borderline pitches called strikes — have improved slightly since. His ranking among catchers for getting those tough calls jumped from 30th to 16th, according to OC Register.
O'Hoppe's Defensive Overhaul From the Ground Up
For most of 2025, O'Hoppe tried the modern one-knee-down stance that many catchers now use. The data showed it was hurting him badly. He ranked in the 5th percentile for framing and 6th percentile for blocking league-wide, according to Sports Illustrated. Those numbers were unsustainable for a player trying to hold down a starting job.
So O'Hoppe went back to basics. He told reporters, "The numbers weren't as good on my receiving and blocking, and that pissed me off... I didn't feel like myself behind the plate... Getting back to my rawest form has been way more comfortable," per OC Register. The two-knee stance mirrors what veterans like Austin Barnes and Kyle Higashioka use. For O'Hoppe, the switch has made a real difference in his comfort level.
Roster Anxiety Fueled a Mental and Physical Reset
O'Hoppe's job security felt shaky heading into June. Veteran backup Travis d'Arnaud is on the roster, and rumors swirled about the Angels seeking more catching depth, according to Halo Hangout. With his arbitration salary set at $2.625 million for 2026 per MLB Trade Rumors, the pressure to perform was real and constant.
O'Hoppe said he is now "better mentally than physically" — a sign that working through the anxiety helped him reset. On June 11, he hit a solo home run and a two-strike single in a walk-off win against the Rays, telling reporters the work was finally "coming together," per SportsGrid. The Angels sit at 28-42 under first-year manager Kurt Suzuki as of mid-June 2026, per Baseball-Reference.
Suzuki Holds Firm on Lineup Despite Neto Pressure
Shortstop Zach Neto has been the Angels' best hitter in 2026. His contact rate ranks 10th in the majors, per Locked On Angels, and fans have pushed hard for him to bat leadoff. But manager Kurt Suzuki said it is "not time" to move Neto to the top of the order, sticking with the current lineup despite the team's offensive struggles.
Analysts have pushed back on that call. Sam Blum of The Athletic noted a steep learning curve for Suzuki, pointing to his loyalty to struggling players over productive young options like Neto. With the Angels near the bottom of the AL West, the pressure on Suzuki and general manager Perry Minasian to shake things up is growing by the day.
What Comes Next for O'Hoppe and the Angels' Catching Depth
If O'Hoppe's defensive gains do not translate into better offense — specifically cutting that 31% strikeout rate — the Angels may look at internal options from Triple-A Salt Lake or pursue a trade for a veteran catcher like Elias Diaz, according to Halo Hangout. The Angels' catching depth is already thin, with d'Arnaud dealing with plantar fasciitis.
The coaching staff remains supportive. Catching coach Max Stassi, hired alongside Suzuki, has worked directly with O'Hoppe on the mechanical shift. Suzuki has called O'Hoppe "the most athletic catcher in baseball," per OC Register, and believes the old-school stance will fix his numbers naturally. O'Hoppe's turnaround — if it holds — may be one of the few bright spots in an otherwise difficult Angels season.
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