Peter O’Brien’s transition to the major leagues has not gone as well as many had hoped. He’s batting .140/.173/.380 in 16 games so far, with just four homers and eight RBI. He has particularly struggled against right-handed pitching, where he’s batting .133/.161/.233.
Perhaps it is merely rookie anxiety, rooted in the pressure to prove himself. Rookies can often get overly agressive, lose focus, and not play comfortably because they are anxious to prove their worth. But in the short sample size of just 50 at-bats this season, O’Brien has channeled his inner Adam Dunn. He is beginning his career with his strikeout rate through the roof.