Logan O’Hoppe – 50 Future Value, average everyday catcher
Hit: 50
Game Pwr: 50
Raw Pwr: 55
Plate Discipline: 50
Speed: 30
Athleticism: 40
Defense: 50
Arm: 50
Great find by the Phillies to sign O’Hoppe for $215k as a 23rd round prepster. The first thing that jumps out is O’Hoppe’s tremendous physical stature. He’s an absolute specimen—broad-shouldered, at least 6’2” with tree trunk legs. Standing next to Korey Lee and Patrick Bailey he makes those catchers look like high school kids. The first question is therefore “Can this guy actually stick behind the plate?” and the answer is yes. His actions are more steady and methodical than loose and twitchy, but he’s sure-handed with an accurate arm, mobile enough to get down and block pitches in the dirt. His transfers aren’t particularly fast but they’re consistently clean. Throws do tend to fade arm-side with some sink, keeping him from a 55 arm grade. He’s engaged throughout the game, setting up in good positions to frame and/or throw. Still, it takes a lot of energy to move that big body around and it will take more of a toll as he ages from 21 to his mid-20s, so I don’t see him being more than an average defender.
Given his hitting prowess and the leaguewide scarcity of good hitting catchers, average defense is a win for Philadelphia. At the plate, O’Hoppe gets to most of his above average raw power thanks to a clean, simple stroke and solid plate discipline. Only a 17.5 K% at High-A despite being two years younger than the avg player (his 8.4% walk rate was average). It’s more strength over bat speed, but good barrel control led to 20 homers in 126 games this year. When O’Hoppe picks up a breaking ball early he can create more whip in that swing and tee off for loud homers with bat speed, but generally it’s a slower, less twitchy swing. He does a good job waiting back then unloading on curveballs. Solid adjustability going down to barrel a pitch at the knees or staying upright and getting on top of a pitch at the belt. Line drives to right field.
Big time makeup. Teammates love O’Hoppe; he treats even the little people (random fall league staff) with respect. Most importantly, he has a calm, confident focus in BP and took catching work seriously even in the dog days of November when you wouldn't have blamed him for taking it easy in drills 2.5 hours before game time.
Garrett Hill – 45 FV, back-end starter; solid floor, limited ceiling
4-Sm Fastball, 91-95 mph: 50
11-5 Curveball: 50
Slider/Cutter: 45 (I could use more looks at this pitch)
Changeup: 55
Command: 55
A ground ball machine who keeps the ball in the yard and also misses bats, Hill has always had the luxury of being an older player for his level. I expect him to be humbled when he reaches the Show, but ultimately carve out a role as a depth piece. Already polished, the soon-to-be 26 year old is a good Rule 5 target as the Tigers left him unprotected.
Listed at 6’0”, 185 lbs, Hill is on the small side. He is balanced and athletic with repeatable starter’s mechanics, working with good tempo in a very simple windup. Low effort allows him to accurately follow through to his target, but the lack of whippy-ness or arm speed caps his ceiling. Hill has above average command, painting arm-side to lefties for called 3rd strike fastballs. He will come upstairs with heat and can miss even a good hitter like Kyle Stowers’ bat when he keeps it above the belt; the ball jumps pretty good out of Hill’s hand. 2250 to 2330 4-seam RPM. Hill sells his changeup and gets big speed differential at 82-83 mph; arm-side fade and good downward tumble. Good at doubling up with that CH.
In addition to getting ground balls, Hill has K'd 12 per 9 with his mostly three-pitch mix and has occasionally touched 96 mph (sat 91-93 at times in regular season but 92-95 in fall). Has a sinking fastball too. Has developed a cutter as a wrinkle to attack righties.
Good natured, mild mannered guy. The reason I don’t have Hill as a 50 is I think facing big leaguers he’s gonna miss significantly fewer bats and give up more homers. He’ll still get ground balls but I think the stuff is too pedestrian to maintain anything near his terrific MiLB home run rates. The Tigers must think the same thing to leave him unprotected.
Lars Nootbaar – 55 future value, above average everyday RF
Hit: 55
Game Pwr: 55
Raw Pwr: 60
Plate Discipline: 60
Speed: 60
Athleticism: 60
Defense: never saw him have to make a difficult play—would watch 10 minutes of defense video if I had access and then have a precise grade here.
I would guess Nootbaar is a 55 fielder given + speed/athleticism. Anecdotally, he made two highlight reel game-saving catches in the Show, including one on a Pete Alonso drive to right that he caught above the wall. Goes back on balls well and has a good feel for where the RF wall is. Closing speed and good head-first diving catches.
Never got to see him make a competitive throw but had a strong arm as a HS QB; should have the arm for RF.
Writeup:
At first glance, you might think "Big Leaguer picking on minor leaguers, of course he raked," but then you remember Nootbaar is only a month older than Bryson Stott and 2 months older than JJ Bleday. Great hitter’s body: muscular, can create good extension at 6’3” to cover pitches away or unload on meatballs but keeps his swing compact and controlled so there aren’t any obvious holes. Simple swing path, rips line drives to all fields but adjustability to take more of a lofted home run cut when he locks in on a breaking ball. Good balance, waits back well on curveballs, good barrel control with consistent 2-hand follow through.
Nootbaar gets to most of his power without cheating for power. He’s more than happy to smack one the other way—hits the ball where it's pitched. Has home run power even to the right center gap. He’s consistently ahead in counts with plus plate discipline and there's a history of good BB to K ratios in his small minor league sample. 10.5% walk rate in the Show this year and a not bad 22 K%.
Very similar setup to JJ Bleday’s: bat resting on shoulder, quiet load as he lifts his leg, just a subtle trigger taking his hands back as his foot strikes then detonates with an explosive swing. (Nootbar is slightly more crouched and lifts his leg earlier and higher for an actual leg kick—simple and controlled.)
Statistically, Nootbaar has shown absolutely no base stealing ability but has 60 speed nonetheless. Statcast had him 85th percentile in the Majors in sprint speed, which benefits his defense and general baserunning (as opposed to stealing)
Handles himself like a pro—loose, funny, and upbeat with teammates. A decorated high school QB, Nootbaar is a jock with swagger, a plus athlete who’d be good at any sport you threw him in. Seems less like an analytical hitter and more a guy with a nice short memory who's not overthinking mechanically, just letting his simple swing do its thing.
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(Photo credit: Williamsport Sun-Gazette)