3 options for the Angels at catcher if Logan O'Hoppe heads to the IL

Apr 20, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe (14) reacts as he
Apr 20, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe (14) reacts as he / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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The Los Angeles Angels might have been dealt a brutal blow after Logan O'Hoppe left yesterday's game early due to injury. O'Hoppe hurt his shoulder on a swing, and Angels fans saw the last thing they wanted to see. They saw their young catcher in tears leaving the field.

I don't have a diagnosis, but I do know that it didn't look pretty. There's a very good chance O'Hoppe will have to miss some time just based on his reaction. He hurt the same shoulder on a swing earlier this week in Boston but stayed in the game.

If O'Hoppe does have to miss time, that puts the Angels in a rough spot. They're already without Max Stassi who is also on the Injured List. This forces the Angels to dig deep into their depth at a position that is pretty thin in the organization. Here're three options the Halos can look at to start.

1) LA Angels catcher Matt Thaiss is the presumed starter

If O'Hoppe has to miss time, Matt Thaiss would be my guess as the guy to take over a bulk of the starts behind the plate. The only reason I am saying this is because he's the current backup.

Thaiss made the Opening Day roster out of Spring Training despite ending it in a massive slump, primarily because he was out of options. With Stassi on the IL, this was fine for me to give Thaiss one more shot to show he belongs on this team. He's done nothing to earn that spot from the moment this season started.

Thaiss is hitless in 12 at-bats to begin this season. He's drawn two walks and been hit by two pitches, but he hasn't hit this season and hasn't hit in his MLB career. This combined with his subpar defense behind the plate makes him an uninspiring option to say the least.

Hopefully Thaiss can prove me wrong if he does play a lot. I just don't see that happening at this point.

2. LA Angels catcher Chad Wallach would be my choice to start most games

Chad Wallach is another uninspiring option to start. He's a career .198 hitter in 90 games. He played 12 games with the Angels last season and had five hits in 35 at-bats. Not great.

The reason I'd start Wallach over Thaiss a majority of the time would be for his glove. Wallach is known to be a solid defensive catcher, and I think he'd do a much better job on that side of the diamond than Thaiss while also providing next to nothing offensively.

Wallach has also shown signs of life in AAA this season, as he's slashed .361/.442/.556 with two home runs and eight RBI. I wouldn't put too much stock into offensive numbers in the PCL, but the way Thaiss has looked at the dish I wouldn't expect him to put up gaudy numbers like those in AAA.

In a perfect world Perry Minasian swings a trade for a catcher if O'Hoppe has to miss extended time. The reality of the situation is there just aren't catchers available on the trade market right now without the Angels having to give up a package they'd regret.

Adding Wallach to the roster wouldn't be hard, as the Angels have a 40-man spot open after removing David Fletcher.

If I'm deciding between Wallach and Thaiss, give me the better defender and the hotter hitter to start a majority of the time. They should at the very least split duties behind the plat.

3. It's too early for LA Angels catcher Edgar Quero to come up

The Angels made a surprising decision to promote Zach Neto with his inexperience. Neto had played in just 37 games at AA Rocket City with 149 official at-bats at that level. Plenty of Angels fans felt it was too early for Neto, even with how well he was playing.

Imagine the Angels promoting an even less experienced player at a more difficult position? That'd be the case if they promoted Edgar Quero from AA right now.

The 20-year-old has played in nine games for AA Rocket City and has 33 official at-bats. Neto played in 37 games, Quero has 33 at-bats. Quite the difference.

Quero is an extremely impressive prospect and one Angels fans should keep an eye on. Once O'Hoppe and Neto graduate the prospect ranks, Quero will be the number one prospect in the organization. He's extremely talented and has a bright future. It's just too early.

Quero is far from polished defensively and who knows if he can hit MLB pitching. He's played very well in AA so far, but pitchers haven't had the chance to adjust to him. He's played nine games!

I know Angels fans will be clamoring for him if O'Hoppe goes down for a while, but just stick with Thaiss and Wallach or make a trade. Do not call someone up who has played nine games at AA. Please.

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