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O’Hoppe Offers Rangers an Internal Designated Hitter Option
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- O’Hoppe Offers Rangers an Internal Designated Hitter Option
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As the Texas Rangers begin the offseason, some positions will demand more attention than others.
Designated hitter is among them.
Joc Pederson filled that role against right-handed pitching during the last two seasons. Because the Rangers face right-handers approximately 80% of the time, the arrangement made sense for their lineup.
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Pederson improved offensively in 2026 following an injury-ravaged 2025. He hit .235 with 26 home runs, 53 RBIs and an .816 OPS in 136 games.
However, retaining him may prove too expensive for Texas.
Pederson made his last appearance against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sept. 12, when he suffered a small fracture in his left hand.
The injury forced him to miss the most important part of the season while the Rangers competed with the Houston Astros for first place in the American League West.
Texas fortunately has internal candidates capable of replacing him.
The Rangers will likely rotate several hitters through the designated hitter role rather than assigning it to one player for most games.
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Logan O'Hoppe is one of those options and would cost considerably less than the nearly $20 million Texas paid Pederson in 2026.
Why O'Hoppe can help Rangers
When the Rangers recalled O'Hoppe in August, they used him as a designated hitter even though catcher is his primary position.
Texas had enough coverage behind the plate to rotate him into the lineup against left-handed pitching, which he handled well by slashing .284/.322/.333 in 81 at-bats.
Like Justin Foscue, O'Hoppe struggled against right-handers, posting a .188/.253/.288 slash line in 170 at-bats. However, he hit all four of his home runs against right-handed pitching.
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The Rangers must address two areas with O'Hoppe. The first is his catching.
He needs to improve defensively behind the plate, which was part of the reason Texas did not immediately add him to the roster after acquiring him in a July trade with the Los Angeles Angels .
The second is his hitting at the MLB level. O'Hoppe has not finished a season with a hitting average above .220 since 2024.
If he is going to provide value as a rotational designated hitter or work in tandem with Danny Jansen at catcher, both areas must improve. O'Hoppe slashed .260/.368/.469 in 26 minor league games this season.
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O'Hoppe upside
O'Hoppe offers the Rangers flexibility because he can help cover two important responsibilities. His experience behind the plate gives Texas another catcher, while his right-handed swing provides a possible lineup option against left-handers.
His willingness to accept different assignments will be important if Texas rotates players through the designated hitter spot. O'Hoppe must remain prepared whether he is catching, hitting or coming off the bench.
He also has the opportunity to improve through regular work. Better receiving, blocking and throwing would make him more dependable behind the plate, while a more disciplined hitting approach could help him handle right-handed pitching.
O'Hoppe does not have to replace Pederson's production by himself. He needs to become a more complete and dependable option within the Rangers' rotation.
