Phillies trade top prospect O’Hoppe to Angels for outfielder Brandon Marsh

The Phillies haven’t had a good centerfielder since prime Odubel Herrera, and the Phillies might have finally found one.

Two hours before the MLB’s 6:00 pm E.T. trade deadline, the Phillies traded catcher Logan O’Hoppe to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for centerfielder Brandon Marsh.

The young outfielder was once a top prospect in the MLB pipeline, but has not lived up to his expectations since being called up to the major leagues. The lefty is an excellent defender but has struggled at the dish. He hit .254 in his rookie season but is slashing just .226/.284/.353 in 292 at-bats in 2022. Strikeouts remain an issue for Marsh, as he is being punched out one in every three at-bats.

Marsh will likely platoon with Matt Vierling in centerfield and see almost all of his starts come against right-handed pitchers. Marsh’s elite glove paired with above average speed makes him a defensive upgrade, but his bat is a step down from Matt Vierling.

Marsh will not become a free agent until 2028, so the Phillies wills have time to develop him into a stronger hitter. To make room for Marsh, the Phillies designated Odubel Herrera for assignment. Herrera was hitting just .238 in 2022.

Logan O’Hoppe has been one of the more surprising prospects in the Phillies organization. The twenty-three-year-old double-A catcher has an .888 OPS in 262 at-bats with Reading.

The trade for Marsh makes it seem that the Phillies are likely out of the Ian Happ sweepstakes, but the Phillies are still looking to add one more starting pitcher before the deadline.