Peter O'Brien Working In Right Field

Remember last season when Peter O'Brien clobbered the ball at two different levels and became the big breakout offensive prospect in the Yankees system? Well, he's actually been even better this year. His overall OPS last season was .893 (his first-half OPS in Charleston was a more-robust 1.012). This year's OPS is a whopping 1.068. Through 109 at-bats, O'Brien is hitting .330 with 10 home runs and nine doubles, and Newman said the Yankees have been happy with his work in right field. O'Brien is still mostly catching, but the Yankees have played him in right six times.

“He moves around OK (in the outfield)," Newman said. "Can really throw. Has a couple of outfield assists. ... Obviously Peter’s got serious power, and that might be another way for him to get (to the big leagues) for us.”

Last year the Yankees experimented with O'Brien at third base, but Newman said that's really a "last option" at this point. The Yankees believe it would simply take too long for O'Brien to fully learn the position. Catcher, right field and first base are apparently more realistic options for him going forward. The Yankees recognize they have some catching depth, and have a long-term catching contract already in place, so O'Brien will continue to move around.


(lohud.com)