Here’s the latest from the NL West.
- Rumors that the Dodgers are interested in Josh Byrnes for a front office role are gaining steam, writes Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. The former Diamondbacks and Padres GM was seen taking in an AFL game with Dodgers president Stan Kasten and special adviser Pat Corrales. Interestingly, Los Angeles has openings at GM and farm director – both positions that fit Byrnes’ resume. He began his front office career as a scout in the Indians organization, eventually moving up to scouting director before leaving with Dan O’Dowd for an assistant GM post in Colorado. If Byrnes does latch on with the Dodgers, it will be his fourth NL West organization.
- New Diamondbacks catching prospect Peter O’Brien is known for his power but comes with questions about his defense, reports Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. When the Diamondbacks acquired O’Brien from the Yankees for Martin Prado, they knew he might not stick behind the dish. For what it’s worth, O’Brien says all the right things about his dedication to catching. Arizona farm director Mike Bell also sounds positive, saying “he just needs to catch more.” Including the AFL, O’Brien has blasted 37 home runs in 444 plate appearances across four levels this season.
- Giants swingman Yusmeiro Petit journeyed an unlikely road from the majors to Mexico and back again, reports the Associated Press in The New York Times. The right-hander reinvented himself in Mexico and Venezuela during the 2011 campaign. Ultimately, Giants hitting coach Hensley Meulens and minor league instructor Jose Alguacil rediscovered Petit and recommended him to the organization. The rest, as they say, is history. Petit has contributed to two critical postseason wins as part of an excellent October.
Petit is probably the most underrated player on the Giants.
As a Yankees fan you hate to draw comparisons between players but O’Brien reminds me an awful lot of what they were saying about Jesus Montero. Both previous Yankees prospects, both had power in the minors and neither could remain behind the plate as catchers. Hopefully O’Brien doesn’t suffer the same fate as what seems to have befallen Montero. You would love to see every kid who has persevered have success.
Well with the catching depth the Yankees have and have had for the last several seasons they were both expendable. He does have some flashy power numbers but when you get a guy like Prado who can do everything except catch and pitch for a player who isn’t projected to remain in his own position, it’s a win for the Yankees.
O’Brien is likely the next J.P Arencbia if he makes the majors, without any hype.
Possibly
If this becomes true, than Arizona (Towers) made another horrible trade.
I was thinking Trumbo, but with the catching reputation Arencibia fits better.
FYI: Title says Brynes, should be Byrnes
Fans of the Giants, Dbacks, Rockies and Padres would burst out in a happy dance if Byrnes is hired as the Dodgers GM.