SAN DIEGO – Peter O’Brien had never struggled like he did during his time in the big leagues this summer, struggles that led to a second half in the minors unlike any half-season he can remember. But he believes that through it all he has emerged a better hitter, more cognizant of what he needs to do to one day produce at the major league level, wiser from the sort of lesson only failure can teach.
“It was tough,” O’Brien said. “But it was definitely a learning experience. I feel like I’m in a good place now.”
O’Brien tore through the Pacific Coast League in the season’s first two months, posting numbers so impressive the Diamondbacks felt they had little choice but to promote him.