How an NL East rival inadvertently helped a top Phillies prospect

The Atlanta Braves’ postseason run inadvertently helped a top Phillies prospect break out

Top prospect Logan O’Hoppe was one of the few bright spots in the 2021 Philadelphia Phillies season.

He’s become the franchise Cinderella story, going from the 23rd-round pick in 2018, to MLB’s Phillies Breakout Prospect of the Year in 2021. He also won a slew of organizational honors between last Spring Training and the Arizona Fall League.

O’Hoppe soared through the farm system in 2021, going from High-A to Triple-A. Over 104 games during the MiLB season, he hit .270/.331/.458 with a .789 OPS. His 106 hits included 19 doubles, two triples, and 17 home runs.

Then, O’Hoppe hit the Arizona Fall League, literally. He slashed .299/.440/.519 with a .959 OPS. The 22 games is a small sample size, but he accumulated 23 hits, including eight doubles and a trio of homers. Like fellow top prospect Bryson Stott, he drew more walks (21) more than he struck out (15).

But O’Hoppe’s AFL dominance almost didn’t happen, as he was not the Phillies’ “priority player,” Stott was. Every MLB organization designates one “priority player” who is ensured the most playing time to help them progress. So, when the Phillies prospects reported to Arizona at the end of the MiLB season, O’Hoppe was going to be Peoria’s second catcher, behind Atlanta Braves prospect Shea Langeliers, their “priority player.”

Instead, the Braves made a postseason run and placed Langeliers on their taxi squad. Advantage, O’Hoppe, who was suddenly Peoria’s number-one catcher. Thanks to the Braves, the Phillies got two priority players for the price of one.

And O’Hoppe rose to the occasion. Phillies coach Mike Calitri, who was with Peoria in 2021, raved about the young catcher:

"“It was a great opportunity for him and to his credit, he took the bull by the horns and made the most of it.He was exceptional.”"

Phillies farm director Preston Mattingly praises Logan O’Hoppe and other top prospects

At minor-league minicamp this week, Phillies farm director Preston Mattingly also had high praise for O’Hoppe:

"“I think the (system) is deeper than people think.I’ve had the pleasure of seeing a bunch of other teams’ top guys and I think the guys in our system stack up with those guys. They don’t get the recognition that others do.You throw in a (pitcher) McGarry and Rojas and O’Hoppe. I’ve gotten to see a bunch of catchers. Logan stacks up with anybody.”"

The AFL experience helped put O’Hoppe on the map and improve his rankings, but in his own words, it was so much more than that:

"“The AFL taught me to feel more comfortable playing in the game.Everyone knows that in the AFL, you usually run into dude after dude out there. You face some pretty good competition. So facing those guys and having a little success was huge as part of my development because now I know I can do it at that level and it’s something I’m looking to build on going forward.”"

O’Hoppe is heading into the 2022 minor league season as an organization star who has impressed all the right people. He’s only 22 years old, but he’s mature beyond his years. Thanks to some good luck and hard work, he’s on the fast track to Citizens Bank Park.

So, yes, in the short-term, the Braves have a shiny new World Series trophy while the Phillies have a decade-long postseason drought. But in the long-term, the Braves have just helped the Phillies set themselves up for success.