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Former Canes Catcher Could Be Ready For the Show Either Behind The Plate Or As Outfielder

Former UM Catcher Peter O'Brien could be ready to reach the Major Leagues as an outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks. After being drafted by the New York Yankees he was traded to the D-Backs and might have found a home in the outfield. However, with the futility that the Snakes have behind the plate, he might go back to catching and get his ticket to the major leagues.

By Scott Salomon
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Peter O'Brien has moved around the baseball diamond enough times looking for a permanent home, one might have thought he would need the services of a realtor.

He just could not find a home.

The Diamondbacks top-rated prospect was a catcher coming through the Yankees organization. He was then moved to third base and split his time at the hot corner and behind the plate.

He then found a home in right field in the Diamondbacks system when he was traded to Arizona. Late in spring training the D-Backs decided to keep him in the outfield so he could concentrate on his efforts as a hitter.

Through the first 27 games the 24-year old had a batting line of .369/.393.708 with eight dingers and 28 RBI.

"It cleared my mind a little bit and let me be in the lineup every single day and focus more on the bat," said O'Brien who is tearing it up at Triple-A Reno. "It's been great so far. When we made the move in spring training it's kind of exactly what I had in mind."

O'Brien had back to back games where he had three hits and he homered in three straight games for the Aces. For that week, O'Brien hit .417. He was also named the Diamondbacks Minor League Player of the Month for April.

Statistically speaking, in his first 77 at bats between Double A and Reno he was batting at a .403 clip.

O'Brien, a second-round pick out of the University of Miami, might make a quick jump to the big league club because the crowded outfield in Arizona is awful.

There is talk that O'Brien might go back behind the plate and get called up to the show.  Arizona's catchers, Tuffy Gisewisch and Jordan Pacheco, are offensive intolerant. They have combined to hit below the Mendoza Line and have not hit a home run this season. They are also nothing special defensively.