With all eyes on Shohei Ohtani this offseason as the reigning AL MVP has hit free agency for the first time in six years, it appears that his fellow teammate from the Angels has caught his attention as he took the time to applaud him through social media.
Ohtani reposted an Instagram post on his story on Tuesday congratulating his fellow teammate and catcher Logan O'Hoppe as he was welcomed to the Creative Artists Agency . The same baseball agency that represents Ohtani, Corbin Carroll and Trea Turner, among others.
O'Hoppe has caught for Ohtani for about a year now after he was traded to the Angels before the 2022 MLB Trade Deadline from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for outfielder Brandon Marsh.
When he arrived to the Angels organization, O'Hoppe began his time catching in AA with the Rocket City Trash Pandas. He would quickly work his way through the minors and get called up to the Angels just before the 2022 season ended.
Last year, O'Hoppe was the Opening Day catcher for the Angels and primarily caught for Ohtani during the 2023 season.
Last season, O'Hoppe suffered a torn labrum that sidelined him for the majority of last year. Before the injury, he was proving to be the Angels' catcher of the future as he was hitting .280 with four home runs, 12 RBIs and two doubles with an OPS of .899.
In 425.1 innings behind the plate, O'Hoppe's defense was just as impressive holding a fielding percentage of .995 with just two errors.
Although Ohtani reposted this post on his Instagram story, it should have Angels fans wondering if he will be returning as there has been some recent momentum building for the Angels and Ohtani has been regarded as a rather quiet player — but when he speaks, it grabs the attention of everyone in the room.
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