The Los Angeles Angels might be looking to shake things up behind the plate. In a recent mock draft by The Athletic's Keith Law, the Angels are projected to select catcher Ryder Helfrick with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.

Helfrick, currently starring for the Arkansas Razorbacks, is having a breakout season. He's already matched his home run total from the 2024-25 campaign in 13 fewer games and has set a career high with 44 RBIs. But what really makes him stand out is his glove work. MLB.com grades his arm at a 60 and his fielding at a 55 on the 80-grade scouting scale, highlighting his potential as a defensive asset.

Law sees Helfrick as a quick riser, writing: "Helfrick is an educated guess here — he's a good enough defender that he could move somewhat quickly, and could probably catch in the majors next year." That timeline would put him in the big leagues by 2027.

But why would the Angels target a catcher when they already have Logan O'Hoppe as their primary backstop? The answer might lie in recent performance trends. O'Hoppe was a bright spot in 2024, but his production took a sharp turn in 2025. He smashed 18 of his 19 homers in the first half before going ice cold, finishing the year with a .629 OPS. This season hasn't been much kinder — he's posting a .579 OPS with just one home run and is currently sidelined with a fractured wrist.

Backup Travis d'Arnaud is also on the roster, but his contract expires after this season. If the Angels are looking for a long-term solution, drafting Helfrick could signal a shift. As Law suggests, this pick might be less about depth and more about finding O'Hoppe's eventual replacement.

Whether the Angels are ready to move on from their young catcher or simply planning for the future, one thing is clear: the 2026 draft could be a pivotal moment for the franchise's catching corps.