The 2024 season is underway for your Los Angeles Angels, and it's a year of transition. They no longer have their superstar player from the past six seasons, Shohei Ohtani.
All eyes will be on their other stars, Mike Trout and third baseman Anthony Rendon. These two will be tasked to lead the Halos offense; however, they'll look for others to step up in this crucial season. Another essential player the team will look at to carry their offense is their young catcher, Logan O'Hoppe.
O'Hoppe will enter his third year with the Halos, and he's never felt more comfortable with his role entering the year. The 24-year-old told OC Register's Jeff Flecther that he has a 'better idea of what's going on' heading into the 2024 season.
“I know I have a lot of room to grow, and I’ll be saying that for as long as I’m playing,” O’Hoppe said. “It does help to have an idea of what I’m looking for going into those meetings and just speaking the language a little bit. I know I was drinking out of a fire hose a little bit, as every player is when he makes his debut. I do feel a little bit more confident going into those meetings now. I have a better idea of what’s going on.”
O'Hoppe's season was hindered big time when he suffered a torn labrum that required shoulder surgery early. Luckily, the surgery didn't keep him out for the entire season, but he missed most of it. Still, he managed to play in 51 games, hitting .236 with a .796 OPS, 14 home runs and 29 RBIs in 182 ABs.
The former 2018 draft pick solidified himself as the catcher of the future before his injury, and that remains the case entering 2024. His offensive and defensive game will be crucial for the Halos this year, and we'll see how it impacts the team for the better.
We'll see how a comfortable O'Hoppe performs with all eyes on him.
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