Trade Central: Phillies Fill Center Field Void By Adding Brandon Marsh

In an attempt to shore up a void in center field, the Phillies reached a deal with the Angels to acquire Brandon Marsh. In return, they sent top catching prospect Logan O’Hoppe to Los Angeles.

Marsh, 24, has provided excellent defense in center field this season—he’s in the 98th percentile of outs above average, per Baseball Savant—but has shown very little at the plate, especially when it comes to plate discipline. He is under team control until 2028.

O’Hoppe, 22, is one of the brightest catching prospects in the game and ranked as the team’s No. 3 prospect—and best position player—behind righthanders Mick Abel and Andrew Painter. He checks in at No. 89 on the Top 100.

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Brandon Marsh, OF
Age: 24

Marsh was long one of the most highly regarded prospects in the Angels system, but has scuffled since graduating to the big leagues. He’s a large-framed lefthanded hitter who badly needs to rein in his plate discipline. Marsh’s 117 strikeouts entering Tuesday were the fifth-most in the big leagues, and he’s not walking often either. He also doesn’t hit the ball particularly hard, with an average exit velocity of just 88.1 mph, which is down 4 mph from last year. For now, Marsh’s defense in center field will be the primary source of his value, with the hope that his offensive game can improve as he develops.

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Logan O’Hoppe, C
Age: 22

Selected in the 23rd round of the 2018 draft out of high school in New York, O’Hoppe is a huge win for the Phillies’ scouting and player development departments. He’s done nothing but hit over the last two seasons, and he represented the Phillies this season at the Futures Game. His defense is surprisingly good for a player his size, and he’s always shown the willingness to work to improve. His arm is plenty strong for the position, but his large frame has meant he’s often had to throw from his knees to get the ball out in time. As talented as he is, he was blocked in Philadelphia by J.T. Realmuto, who is under contract through 2025. The Angels have spent the last few seasons stockpiling pitching prospects in the draft. Now, O’Hoppe will get a chance to work with them.