Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe makes feelings known about Perry Minasian adding veterans Yusei Kikuchi, Jorge Soler, Travis d'Arnaud and more to team

The Los Angeles Angels endured a difficult campaign this year, although some of their younger players, like Logan O'Hoppe, certainly took a step forward in their development. The Angels catcher believes the team should be a much stronger proposition next year after general manager Perry Minasian added seasoned veterans Yusei Kikuchi, Jorge Soler and Travis D'Arnaud to the roster.

The Angels finished bottom of the American League West and posted their worst regular season record in franchise history. The young core was left exposed after Mike Trout went off to the IL in April, while Anthony Rendon was missing for most of the season.

Therefore, O'Hoppe believes the relatively young Angels team could benefit greatly from the experience of Yusei Kikuchi, Jorge Soler and Travis D'Arnaud. He offered his thoughts to former All-Star first baseman Sean Casey on 'The Mayor's Office' podcast on Tuesday [14:00 - 18:10]

"I'm more excited this time, this year, than I was this time last year," Logan O'Hoppe said. "We added some pretty big pieces and guys that have been there and done it, which is huge for us young guys. No better way to learn than from the guys that are in it with you that have done it before. I'm really excited to have talked to almost all of them, and they've all been great.

"Talked to Travis probably the most out of all the new guys, and he's been unbelievable," O'Hoppe said about the fellow catcher. "So, I'm really excited to learn from him and get to work with him."

Travis D'Arnaud joined the Los Angeles Angels on a two-year, $12 million deal after spending five years with the Atlanta Braves. They also traded right-handed pitcher Griffin Canning to the Braves in exchange for Jorge Soler and added left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi to the rotation on a three-year, $63 million contract.

---

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't overwhelming": Logan O'Hoppe on the workload of being an everyday catcher

Logan O'Hoppe finished first season as an everyday catcher for the Angels this year (Image Source: Getty)

Logan O'Hoppe made his major league debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 and established himself as their backup catcher the next season.

This year, the Angels promoted O'Hoppe as their primary catcher. He explained the challenges of being an everyday catcher on the aforementioned podcast.

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't overwhelming," O'Hoppe said. "But, I think, conversations and talking with different guys, the people that are running those meetings or pitchers [help]. You find your groove; you find your flow of how it goes.

"I do think that it may be a little different this year, as we have new staff members. We have different arms and how they want to go about it, as far as the structure of the meetings (go)," he added.

O'Hoppe played 136 games for the Angels in 2024, batting .244/.303/.409 with 20 home runs and 56 RBIs, while his solid defense behind the plate also helped him accumulate 2.7 bWAR for the season.