D-backs’ Peter O’Brien starts slow, heats up quickly after call-up

Arizona Diamondbacks call-up Peter O’Brien is feeling better after a rough showing against the Miami Marlins Friday.

O’Brien, who started in left field, struck out three times in his first game Friday but rebounded Sunday with a three-run home run.

“It was nice to get the first one out of the way,” O’Brien told Burns and Gambo on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. “I think that first day was just kind of the excitement of finally getting in there and getting a start.”

For some players coming up from the minors, it can be a tough adjustment, but O’Brien seems to be finding his stride.

“I’m happy to go out there and be able to compete and you know as far as nerves go, I feel like that’s more of what I make as oppose to what other people put on me,” he said.

O’Brien was called up for a reason. With the Reno Aces, he hit .330 and added 17 home runs with 52 RBI in 51 games this season.

He’s getting more comfortable with every game in the majors, but he wants to get into a routine of getting to the ballpark early, watching some video and doing the same thing he’s been doing his whole career.

One of O’Brien’s keys to success is improving his plate discipline in every at-bat to keep a respectable average with the D-backs, he said.

“I think I’ve shown times where I can be an above average big-league hitter and I know I have the power so you know, I think the biggest thing is kind of finding a happy median between that and, you know, putting the ball in play more,” O’Brien said. “Whether it’s 331 feet or 510 feet, both of them get the job done for the team.”

Related

Enter to win tickets to ASU vs. Kansas StateKoby Brea drains 3-pointer without a shoe on during Suns preseason gameSuns rest main players, lose to Spurs in penultimate preseason gameLuke Kennard exits with injury in Suns preseason game vs. SpursWhen is Carson Beck going to get his shot in Arizona?Cardinals-Rams Week 6 injury report: Jeremiyah Love not participating at practice Wednesday