Thunder get power-hitting catcher O'Brien from Tampa

TRENTON — A power bat departed Trenton Friday, and another was right behind it to take its place.

First baseman Kyle Roller, who had torn up the Eastern League by hitting .385/.456/.808 with nine home runs in 21 games for the Thunder this year, was promoted to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre.

The Thunder filled Roller’s roster spot with catcher Peter O’Brien, who had hit 10 homers in 30 games for High-A Tampa.

“We lost Roller who was off to a great start, but as for a comparable replacement, I think we have that in O’Brien,” manager Tony Franklin said before his squad’s game against the Reading Fightin’ Phils.

Despite Roller’s huge start, the 23-year old O’Brien is considered the better prospect. A right-handed batter, he led the entire Yankees organization in both home runs (22) and RBIs (96) for Tampa last season, and is three years younger than the 26-year old Roller.

“I’m definitely excited, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself,” O’Brien said of the promotion. “I want to go out there and do the same thing I’ve been doing my whole career, just go out there and have fun and stay within myself.”

Some of that extra value also comes from playing a premium defensive position. The Thunder, however, already have a highly-touted backstop in Gary Sanchez — who is generally considered the best prospect in the entire organization — so for the time being at least, O’Brien will see some time in the Thunder outfield.

“A little bit of outfield, DH, catch every now and then,” O’Brien said, when asked where he was told he’ll be playing. “I want to be in the lineup every day, so wherever I am, I’m happy with that.”

With Roller gone, the Thunder also don’t have a clear-cut option at first base, though Franklin played down that possibility.

“You’ll probably see him in the outfield and behind home plate before you see him at first base,” the manager said.

The Thunder also sent reliever Brandon Pinder to Scranton, and Chrs Leroux was sent down to Trenton. Pinder posted a 0.52 ERA in 12 games for the Thunder this season, while Leroux has a 6.03 ERA in parts of six major league seasons.


(trentonian.com)