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Reds Claim Peter O’Brien

By Jeff Todd | May 16, 2017 at 1:30pm CDT

The Reds have claimed first baseman/outfielder Peter O’Brien off waivers from the Royals, per a club announcement. He has been optioned to Triple-A. Lefty Brandon Finnegan will head to the 60-day DL to create 40-man space.

[Related: Updated Cincinnati Reds depth chart]

Cincinnati has had some recent success with plucking high-power prospects who had fallen out of favor with other organizations, and will look to do just that here. O’Brien was designated recently by Kansas City, though he had not appeared at the major league level with the organization. Over his 115 plate appearances on the year at Triple-A, the 26-year-old owns a .162/.235/.276 slash with 31 strikeouts.

That’s a disappointing showing, to be sure, but it’s not a representative sample of O’Brien’s overall minor-league track record. He has been a steadily productive hitter, and carries a .259/.307/.503 batting line with 53 home runs in 1,083 career plate appearances at the highest level of the minors. Though his high-strikeout, low-walk approach makes him a questionable bet ever to reach base at a palatable clip in the majors, O’Brien’s power is a strong enough tool that the Reds will take a chance.

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28 Comments

  1. Goldmine44

    8 years ago

    Wasn’t he a top prospect a while back?

    Reply
    • redsfan48

      8 years ago

      Indeed he was. His power is ridiculous but he strikes out a lot and is a batting average risk. Still, an interesting pickup based on his power potential.

      1
      Reply
      • KC2114

        8 years ago

        Kinda low risk bc they have pretty good outfield depth. Maybe someone will fix his approach

        Reply
  2. ShockersRoyals34

    8 years ago

    In that ballpark he might bunt a homerun. He is a right handed swinging Joey Gallo except he strikes out more and can’t play defense

    2
    Reply
    • Joe Kerr

      8 years ago

      The Reds must have insider knowledge that the DH is coming to the NL.

      4
      Reply
      • thegreatcerealfamine

        8 years ago

        LOL!

        Reply
      • ray_derek

        8 years ago

        I don’t think you need insider knowledge to know that it’s eventually going to happen.

        3
        Reply
        • thegreatcerealfamine

          8 years ago

          That’s been going around for years. The commissioner is already on record not wanting to change it,concentrating on pace of game and expansion.The owners don’t want it either!

          1
          Reply
        • mrkinsm

          8 years ago

          It’s going to happen, and sooner rather than later. The AL/NL no longer exist – they technically merged legally. No body wants to see million $ arms getting injured trying to hit better than .100.

          Reply
    • leefieux

      8 years ago

      Someone strikes out more than Gallo? 🙂

      Reply
    • beauvandertulip

      8 years ago

      Yeah Joey Gallo has a higher ceiling. He’s 23.. and o’Brien is 26

      1
      Reply
  3. strostro

    8 years ago

    Well he doesn’t get rave reviews at catcher or outfield

    5
    Reply
    • lesterdnightfly

      8 years ago

      Any reviews on his defense at catcher or outfield?

      2
      Reply
      • Phillies2017

        8 years ago

        Not rave

        1
        Reply
      • jamesa-2

        8 years ago

        If he can improve his defense, he’ll finally be good enough to be considered awful defensively. Watching him play defense is like watching a train wreck in slow (very slow) motion..

        Reply
  4. Mike_Davis

    8 years ago

    He is terrible anywhere on the field. Yips & poor work behind the plate & no mobility or agility everywhere else on the field. His likely home should be as a 1B/DH platoon. More DH than 1B.

    Reply
    • SFgiantsUK

      8 years ago

      He is a poor man’s Joey Gallo, if he gets regular playing time, he will show what he is capable of. Luckily for Gallo, Beltre went on DL

      Reply
      • aff10

        8 years ago

        Why does every prospect with power and a strikeout problem get compared to Gallo? Gallo’s athleticism and plate discipline are really good for a player his size, neither of which O’Brien has. They’re both that same archetype of prospect, yes, but Gallo’s much better than O’Brien at basically everything

        Reply
        • SFgiantsUK

          8 years ago

          Re-read what I wrote, and read what you wrote. You have basically agreed with me!

          1
          Reply
  5. redjon

    8 years ago

    The Reds 1st baseman at triple A is really struggling. This is probably nothing more than an upgrade for triple A Louisville. He would really have to play well to take a current starter’s place in the Cincinnati outfield, assuming his defense is as bad as everyone says, and Votto’s not going anywhere.. That’s my guess.

    Reply
    • mrkinsm

      8 years ago

      Sebastian Elizalde can easily be the everyday 1Bman in Louisville, he is not struggling.

      Reply
      • redjon

        8 years ago

        Yes, you’re right. But then someone else starts in the outfield that’s hitting .200, or you move Renda to the outfield, etc. etc. I guess the bottom line is that they could really use another bat in triple A no matter what position they play.

        Reply
  6. nailz#4life

    8 years ago

    Oh no Votto is heading out the door !!!!

    Reply
    • redjon

      8 years ago

      Of course he is.

      Reply
  7. usafcop

    8 years ago

    They are hoping he turns out to be the next Adam Duvall….but I don’t see it happening….

    Reply
  8. tharrie0820

    8 years ago

    So other than age, what’s the difference between a Peter O’Brien and a Joey Gallo? Many power, many strikeouts, not much average

    Reply
    • depressedtribefan

      8 years ago

      per my sources in the comments above, that is accurate. power and strikeouts. no rave reviews on his defense.

      Reply
    • aff10

      8 years ago

      Athleticism, walks, defense, baserunning. Gallo’s much better at basically everything

      Reply

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