The Diamondbacks made the move for which many of their fans had been clamoring, recalling Peter O’Brien from Triple-A Reno, installing him in left field and saying the slugger will get a prolonged look at the major-league level.
“We’re going to give him an opportunity,” Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said on Friday. “He’s earned it.”
From an offensive standpoint, O’Brien has little left to prove in the minors. He’s hitting .330 for Reno with a .670 slugging, and in parts of five pro seasons he owns an .882 OPS in the minor leagues. His 17 home runs are the most in the minor leagues.