ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

O’Brien’s got power, but it’s too early to tell if he can really help D-backs

Jun 13, 2016, 6:43 AM | Updated: 11:44 am

Arizona Diamondbacks' Peter O'Brien looks skyward as he arrives at home plate after hitting a three...

Arizona Diamondbacks' Peter O'Brien looks skyward as he arrives at home plate after hitting a three-run home run against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

It is way too early to determine what, if anything, Peter O’Brien can add to the Diamondbacks’ lineup if he is an everyday player.

The most logical guess is that he hits a lot of home runs and strikes out an awful lot. What we do know is that he is 25 years old, is one of their best prospects and has nothing left to prove in the minor leagues. That he got called up on Friday was really no surprise. With Chris Owings heading to the disabled list, A.J. Pollock likely out for the season and Brandon Drury and Yasmany Tomas struggling, Arizona needed a jolt to their lineup and a warm body. O’Brien had mashed 17 home runs and driven in 52 runs at Triple-A Reno while hitting .322. He had earned this call up.

And now that he is here, it is time to see if he can help this team. The D-backs need to run him out there on a regular basis and let O’Brien prove if he’s worthy of staying on the big league roster. On Friday, O’Brien grounded out in his first at-bat and then struck out in his next three, looking over-matched by breaking balls and swinging at bad pitches. On Sunday, he hit a mammoth home run — one of those no-brainers the second he made contact. The three-run shot in the first inning gave the Diamondbacks a 4-0 lead. That O’Brien recorded outs in his next three at-bats didn’t mean as much because of the home run. He gave Arizona the jolt they needed and provided Robbie Ray some early run support.

No one is expecting O’Brien to win a batting title. No one expects him to hit .300. But if he can provide some much needed power in the D-backs’ lineup and provide the “Earl Weaver three-run homer” like he did Sunday, he very well may be worth keeping around. But like Nick Ahmed, there is a floor as to what you can hit. He will not stick around hitting .111. And while the long ball is why he is here and what will keep him around he does need to play decent defense in left field, work out some walks while providing protection in the lineup and put some balls in play.

He reminds me very much of Dave Kingman, who spent 16 years in the major leagues and hit 442 home runs while batting just .236 and striking out 1,816 times.

The Diamondbacks’ season has not gone as expected. But this team isn’t just built for this year. The nucleus and talent is there to contend in the near future. Whether O’Brien is part of that nucleus is up to him. But it is nice to see him get his opportunity. And if nothing else he gave the fans a reason to ooh and ahh on Sunday — likely the first of many times he will give fans something to talk about as they exit Chase Field.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Diamondbacks

Chase Field flyover...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks’ Hall ‘battling’ to keep Chase Field roof open for Opening Day

The roof at Chase Field continues to be a hot button topic, especially after an exhibition game was rained out on Monday.

19 minutes ago

Merrill Kelly throws a pitch...

Alex Weiner

Meet the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2024 Opening Day roster

The Arizona Diamondbacks finalized their 26-man Opening Day roster on Thursday ahead of their matchup against the Rockies.

54 minutes ago

Manager Torey Lovullo speaks with Corbin Carroll...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable: Expectations, predictions for the 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks

What are the expectations for the 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks? Arizona Sports show hosts and editors make their predictions.

3 hours ago

Zac Gallen...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks agree to TV, cable and satellite channel contracts

The Arizona Diamondbacks will air on linear TV channels as well as streams under an MLB-produced broadcast partnership in 2024.

6 hours ago

Jordan Lawlar, D-backs...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar to have thumb surgery

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar will have surgery on his right thumb after tearing a ligament, GM Mike Hazen said on Wednesday.

22 hours ago

General shot of Chase Field...

Bailey Leasure

What’s new at Chase Field for the 2024 D-backs season?

The Arizona Diamondbacks 2024 season will see the team debut new food items, enhancements to the ballpark and giveaways.

1 day ago

O’Brien’s got power, but it’s too early to tell if he can really help D-backs