Headlines

  • Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim
  • Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon
  • Brandon Woodruff To Start For Brewers On Sunday
  • Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds
  • Rangers Option Josh Jung
  • Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Royals Acquire Peter O’Brien From Diamondbacks

By Steve Adams | January 3, 2017 at 5:00pm CDT

The Diamondbacks announced on Tuesday that they’ve traded outfielder Peter O’Brien, who had recently been designated for assignment, to the Royals in exchange for minor league right-hander Sam Lewis.

The 26-yer-old O’Brien has drawn his fair share of attention over the years due to his gaudy power numbers in Triple-A. In 968 plate appearances at that level — split between the Yankees and Diamondbacks — O’Brien has compiled a career .270/.315/.530 batting line. Originally acquired by the D-backs in the 2014 trade that sent Martin Prado to the Yankees, O’Brien has slugged a total of 50 home runs in parts of two seasons in Triple-A.

While O’Brien began his career as a catcher, few scouts gave him much of a chance to stay behind the plate due to defensive concerns. Many scouting reports have suggested that O’Brien lacks any real position on the defensive spectrum, and he’s struggled in his brief taste of the Major Leagues to date (.176/.228/.446 with six homers but 32 strikeouts in 79 plate appearances). Still, he’ll give the Royals a potential power bat with multiple years of club control remaining. Unlike the D-backs, the Royals can simply elect to play O’Brien at DH in the event that he does eventually see his big league production more closely mirror the work he’s put in at the Triple-A level.

Lewis, meanwhile, turned 25 this offseason and returned from a 2015 injury to log 44 1/3 innings of 1.62 ERA ball across three minor league levels. However, impressive as that number seems, it should be noted that he topped out at Class-A Advanced, so he was working against considerably younger and less experienced competition. Lewis averaged 7.9 K/9 against 1.4 BB/9 in his 2016 campaign while also posting a 47.5 percent ground-ball rate, per MLBfarm.com. Their notes on Lewis have his fastball in the upper 80s to low 90s. Lewis only totaled nine innings at High-A last season, and that was his first exposure to the level, so he could return there to open the 2017 season or be pushed to Double-A if the D-backs take a bit more aggressive approach. He’s made just nine minor league starts, so he’s likely viewed strictly as a reliever by his new organization.

Share 0 Retweet 7 Send via email0

Arizona Diamondbacks Kansas City Royals Transactions Peter O'Brien

Diamondbacks, Rubby De La Rosa Agree To Minor League Deal
Main
Athletics Designate Max Muncy For Assignment
View Comments (50)
Post a Comment

50 Comments

  1. crazysull

    9 years ago

    Eventual replacement for Hosmer at first?

    Reply
    • jwood

      9 years ago

      Doesn’t get rave reviews on his defense as a catcher or OF.

      6
      Reply
    • jwood

      9 years ago

      Doesn’t get rave reviews on his defense as a catcher or OF .

      5
      Reply
    • Mike_Davis

      9 years ago

      Nope. DH or LF in a pinch. He really has no position.

      Reply
  2. SupremeZeus

    9 years ago

    Nice guy, light tower power, but he is a AAAA Player or 4K per dayer.

    Reply
  3. jwood

    9 years ago

    Doesn’t get rave reviews on his defense as a catcher or OF .

    5
    Reply
    • TheAdrianBeltre

      9 years ago

      So nice, had to say it thrice!

      5
      Reply
  4. Whyamihere

    9 years ago

    What kind of reviews does he get on his defense as a catcher or OF?

    10
    Reply
    • pinkerton

      9 years ago

      not rave.

      6
      Reply
      • statmaster96

        9 years ago

        Legitimately made me lol

        3
        Reply
        • kmh878s

          9 years ago

          Haha same here

          3
          Reply
    • davidcoonce74

      9 years ago

      I’ve read somewhere that they aren’t raving about his defense.

      5
      Reply
    • lesterdnightfly

      9 years ago

      Raveless.
      Notable for the absence of rave factor.
      Ravelorn.
      Bereft of rave.
      As barren of rave as the bleak winter of Newfoundland is barren of bikinis.

      4
      Reply
      • pinkerton

        9 years ago

        that was just beautiful.

        3
        Reply
        • bigcubsfan

          9 years ago

          Doesn’t get rave reviews from the MLBTR reader with the username jwood on his defense at catcher or OF.

          2
          Reply
        • pinkerton

          9 years ago

          he doesn’t? I thought jwood was keen on giving rave reviews on his defense at catcher or OF. But on second reading, and after thinking about it over a drink and a cigarette, it does appear that indeed, the ballplayer in question that jwood is referencing does not get rave reviews on his defense at catcher or OF.

          (I can’t help it. I’m bored.)

          3
          Reply
        • schellis 2

          8 years ago

          He does get rave reviews on the lack of defensive ability he has at SS/2B/CF.

          1
          Reply
    • dbacksrs

      9 years ago

      Lol

      1
      Reply
    • IloveMACfootball

      9 years ago

      LOL

      1
      Reply
    • bosox90

      8 years ago

      Sometimes I just come back to this article to chuckle at these comments. They are still here, and still chuckle-worthy

      2
      Reply
      • gallenofbeer

        5 years ago

        Still chuckling

        1
        Reply
        • El Duderino

          2 years ago

          Years later, I still look it up at times to giggle.

          2
          Reply
  5. Solaris611

    9 years ago

    A cautionary tale for any team considering home grown NYY prospects. As with O’Brien, Aaron Judge’s name keeps coming up in trade rumors for a reason.

    Reply
    • MB923

      9 years ago

      The only time Judges name has came up in a rumor is for Quintana (and no, obviously not as the centerpiece)

      Reply
    • jdgoat

      9 years ago

      You could say this about every team

      Reply
  6. lesterdnightfly

    9 years ago

    Another Calvin Pickering….

    1
    Reply
  7. dodgerfan711

    9 years ago

    Another failure of the disfunction dbacks

    1
    Reply
    • Binnster

      9 years ago

      Another idiot from Cali…

      Reply
  8. MJ 3

    9 years ago

    So the Dbacks sold high on O’Brian.

    Reply
  9. nailz#4life

    9 years ago

    Isn’t he Petes son , ex catcher for the Braves??

    Reply
    • BravesCanada

      9 years ago

      I think you mean Charlie, and no lol

      Reply
  10. bigcubsfan

    9 years ago

    Doesn’t get rave reviews from the MLBTR reader with the username jwood on his defense at catcher or OF.

    3
    Reply
  11. cardinalfanforever

    9 years ago

    Sometimes a change of scenery can do wonders for a young player. I hope that’s the case for him. I like to support both Missouri teams

    Reply
    • mcdusty31

      9 years ago

      Yes but will his rave reviews get better in Missouri?

      2
      Reply
  12. cardinalfanforever

    9 years ago

    Only time will tell

    Reply
  13. cardinalfanforever

    9 years ago

    I think he’s actually Conan O’Brien’s son lol

    Reply
  14. pinkerton

    9 years ago

    are the Royals aware of the rave/not rave reviews?

    3
    Reply
    • dutch91701

      9 years ago

      The word’s getting around. It’s everywhere. I’m sure they’re vaguely aware

      2
      Reply
  15. mcdusty31

    9 years ago

    Now that he’s off my minor league keeper roster he’ll probably come up and hit 40 homers

    Reply
  16. angelsinthetroutfield

    9 years ago

    Hope he finds success in KC. Always felt he could become a Russell Branyan type…

    Reply
  17. baseball10

    9 years ago

    If u tell me all i have to give up is a 25 yr old AA reliever then sign me up for this deal

    Reply
  18. strostro

    9 years ago

    Source Confirms: Peter O’Brien doesn’t get rave reviews at catcher or outfield

    3
    Reply
  19. lesterdnightfly

    9 years ago

    CAFARDO’S LATEST

    Among Nick Cafardo’s latest MLB scoops:

    Newly acquired Royals farmhand Peter O’Brien is “absolutely getting rave reviews for his defense as a catcher and OF”, according to Cafardo’s high-ranking sources.

    2
    Reply
    • JoeyPankake

      9 years ago

      Cafardo is a raving lunatic.

      1
      Reply
    • pinkerton

      8 years ago

      what does Olney think? Then we’ll have a story!

      1
      Reply
  20. alexgordonbeckham

    8 years ago

    I love how about half (if not more) of the comments are poking fun at the guy who posted the same thing multiple times lol

    3
    Reply
    • schellis 2

      8 years ago

      That poster is obviously not getting rave reviews for his posting ability.

      4
      Reply
  21. Cave

    6 years ago

    Anyone leaving rave reviews in 2019?

    1
    Reply
    • gallenofbeer

      5 years ago

      2020 here. If you knew what was good for you, you’d stay in 2019.

      3
      Reply
      • Srechter35

        5 years ago

        This thread still kicks

        1
        Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Brandon Woodruff To Start For Brewers On Sunday

    Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

    Rangers Option Josh Jung

    Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

    Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

    Braves Designate Alex Verdugo For Assignment

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Tucker Barnhart To Retire

    Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

    Reds Release Jeimer Candelario

    Dave Parker Passes Away

    Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles

    Pirates Reportedly Have Very Few Untouchable Players At Trade Deadline

    Griffin Canning Believed To Have Suffered Achilles Injury

    Mariners Looking For Corner Infield Bats; Ownership Willing To Bump Payroll

    Wander Franco Found Guilty Of Sexual Abuse

    Recent

    White Sox To Recall Colson Montgomery For MLB Debut

    Giants Select Sergio Alcantara

    Max Muncy Expects To Miss Around Six Weeks With Bone Bruise

    Mets To Sign Zach Pop To Major League Contract

    Dodgers Claim CJ Alexander, Designate Steward Berroa For Assignment

    Colten Brewer Opts Out Of Yankees Deal

    Royals Sign Michael Fulmer To Minor League Deal

    Yankees To Sign Nicky Lopez To Minor League Deal

    Angels Select Chad Stevens

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version