Philadelphia Phillies prospect Logan O’Hoppe: Trade chip or Rhys Hoskins’ fate-holder?

Logan O’Hoppe was a 23rd-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies straight out of high school. Guys drafted that low don’t generally make it to the major leagues. Through hard work and some fat numbers in the minor leaguers, he has become one of the club’s best prospects and a guy within MLB’s top 100 among all minor leaguers.

He’s at Double-A this year hitting for average, power, and reaching base regularly. The timetable could have him reaching the big leagues as soon as next year.

Here’s the problem: J.T. Realmuto is signed through 2025 at almost $24 million per year. The two can co-exist next year as a duo behind the plate. Ultimately, if O’Hoppe plays well enough to earn a starting big league job, the Phillies will have to decide if he’s a trade chip or the fate-holder for Rhys Hoskins.

Phillies prospect Logan O’Hoppe could be the deciding factor in whether or not Rhys Hoskins remains

Hoskins’ free agency comes after the 2023 season. The club’s longtime first baseman is definitely someone to consider bringing back regardless of how up and down his tenure has been in Philly. Hoskins has regularly hit for power and drawn walks but while doing it with poor defense, lots of strikeouts, and a less than desirable batting average.

There are, at times, more issues with the way Hoskins plays the game than compliments we can hand out. A part of the blame could be how the organization handled his rise. Remember him in left field? It’s baseball nightmare fuel.

When the Phillies signed Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber this past offseason, they showed signs of letting Hoskins eventually walk. The players are all too similar. With Bryce Harper also on the roster and Alec Bohm better suited away from third base, it already began to look like the team might let the clock run out on Hoskins.

Not much has changed in this regard. However, O’Hoppe’s continued success could eventually give us the answer as to who replaces Hoskins at first base—Realmuto.

The Phillies could move J.T. Realmuto to first base as soon as 2024

Realmuto has played first base in his career for the Phillies. It’s a wise thing to do to keep his bat in the lineup. This year, his bat hasn’t been quite as effective but maybe a transition from the beating he takes behind the plate can make a difference and save those final years of his deal from being so miserable.

The Phillies have used Realmuto a ton since arriving. They may have learned their lesson from 2019 when he started 130 games for them behind the plate. He got a couple more chances last season at first base. It’s a spot that could suit him well. He is, after all, one of the most athletic catchers in the game right now.

The defense might be better than anything else the club has within the organization. We can also count on him to play it wisely.

O’Hoppe and Hoskins might not be completely connected but they also are very much so. Expecting Realmuto to catch through the end of his contract was already a big favor to ask. With a younger and cheaper solution for the team to turn to, we might already have our answer.