ANAHEIM — If Logan O’Hoppe thought getting to spend the day in a major league clubhouse was the best day of his baseball career, he found out at the end of the night that the best was yet to come.
The Angels’ top prospect joined the team as part of the taxi squad on Tuesday, but after the game the Angels told him that he was going to be activated on Wednesday, and he would start behind the plate in his major league debut.
Manager Phil Nevin said that was the plan all along, although he gave no indication before Tuesday’s game that O’Hoppe would do anything beyond soak up information and experience with the taxi squad.
“We want to see him play,” Nevin said after the game. “He’s earned it. It was kind of the plan when we got here. We didn’t tell you guys.”
O’Hoppe, in fact, had just gotten the news moments before reporters were crowded around his locker. He said he still hadn’t even had a chance to tell his family.
“It’s a dream I’ve had since I was 2, as long as I can remember,” O’Hoppe said. “It hasn’t hit me yet fully. But I just think of the people that have helped me get to this point, especially the people back home (in New York). Hopefully, they can make some quick flights out here. I’m just super grateful. It’s an emotional day.”
A few hours earlier, O’Hoppe was thrilled to simply be in the clubhouse and wearing an Angels uniform, with No. 14. At the time, he said he was told he was only going to be on the taxi squad, so he could soak up information and get used to the environment, but he couldn’t play.
He spent time with veteran catcher Max Stassi.
“I was following Max around and trying to get a feel for the routine,” O’Hoppe said. “It was a lot of information, but I’m happy I got today to get my feet wet. I feel like it’ll help me roll into tomorrow.”
O’Hoppe, 22, was the key player the Angels acquired in the Brandon Marsh trade with the Philadelphia Phillies last month. O’Hoppe immediately shot to the top of the Angels’ prospect list, and he enhanced his status by hitting .306 with 11 home runs and a 1.147 OPS in 29 games with the Angels’ Double-A affiliate.
Next year O’Hoppe and Matt Thaiss figure to be on the depth chart for playing time behind Stassi, who has two years left on the contract extension he signed in spring training. If Stassi struggles as much next year as he has this year, obviously O’Hoppe or Thaiss could work into a more prominent role.
O’Hoppe said he feels like he’s been better defensively than offensively, despite his eye-popping numbers at the plate after the trade. He said hitting became “contagious” around the other players at Rocket City.
“It was a dream come true,” O’Hoppe said. “I’ve been wanting to be a part of a group like that for a while. I got down there and everyone made me feel welcome right away. It was a group I’m going to miss. A lot of good guys and a lot of friendships I am able to form and keep up with now so it was a great experience. And as a couple months I won’t forget.”
The Angels designated outfielder Magneuris Sierra for assignment to create a spot for O’Hoppe on the 40-man roster.
RENDON UPDATE
The Angels brought minor league pitchers in to throw to third baseman Anthony Rendon, who is rehabbing from June wrist surgery. They increased the intensity of his workouts as they try to determine if he will be able to play before the end of the season.
After Rendon hit, Nevin said Rendon “swung the bat good, felt good,” and that they would “see how he feels the next day.” Nevin said the Angels are prepared to have the pitchers face him again on Wednesday or Thursday.
Time is running out quickly for the Angels, though.
Rendon has to serve a five-game suspension resulting from his role in the June fight against the Seattle Mariners. It is unlikely that Major League Baseball would allow the Angels to activate Rendon simply to serve the suspension, so he’d need to be able to play after the five games. The Angels will have eight games left on Wednesday.
Rendon and Nevin have both said there is value in Rendon getting back to 100%, even if he’s not activated, so he can have a worry-free winter.
BRADLEY’S BACK
Right-hander Archie Bradley, who broke his elbow during the same fight, was activated on Tuesday.
Bradley posted a 4.82 ERA in 21 games. He was on the injured list with an oblique issue before breaking his arm. Bradley, 30, said he’d like to re-sign with the Angels, so he is hoping he can do something in the final games to prove that he can do better next year.
“I still have thoughts about the season and the impact I could have had,” Bradley said. “I’m not saying things would have been different. But I feel like I bring something to the table more than the average player. I would say it starts there. Show Perry (Minasian), show the Angels I’m healthy. I’m still a good quality major league pitcher.”
The Angels created spots for Bradley on the 28- and 40-man rosters by designating right-hander Mike Mayers for assignment for the second time this season. Mayers had a 5.68 ERA in 50-2/3 innings with the Angels.
NOTES
Infielder David Fletcher has been taking batting practice against coaches, but he has still not faced live pitching. Fletcher said he’s still dealing with some pain in his right hand from getting hit by a pitch earlier this month. …
Fox Sports announced it will air a special on Shohei Ohtani on FS1 on Oct. 18. The show will begin after Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.
UP NEXT
Angels (RHP Michael Lorenzen, 7-6, 4.78) vs. A’s (RHP Adrian Martinez, 4-5, 6.10), Wednesday, 6:38 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM
