Chris O’Brien
| AB | 1555 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .235 |
| OBP | .316 |
| SLG | .383 |
| HR | 38 |
- Full name Chris Charles O'Brien
- Born 07/24/1989 in Milwaukee, WI
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: S / Throws: R
- School Wichita State
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Drafted in the 18th round (554th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011.
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It's fair to say that no one anticipated Chris O'Brien's breakout season. He hit .272/.365/.401 in his first two seasons at Wichita State, then dipped to .197/.282/.219 with wood bats in the Cape Cod League last summer. He looked like a different hitter this spring, batting .410/.495/.643 with a 40-18 BB-K ratio even after the NCAA switched to less lively bats. A 6-foot, 219-pound switch-hitter, he took regular batting practice in the offseason and made his stance wider and more open. Though catchers who can hit are always in demand, O'Brien probably won't go in the first five rounds. He has fringy arm strength and receiving skills, though he does earn high marks for his ability to call pitches and run a pitching staff. His father Charlie was an All-America catcher for the Shockers and spent 15 years in the majors thanks to his defensive prowess.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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26 CHRIS O'BRIEN, C O'Brien's father Charlie spent 15 seasons catching in the big leagues for eight different teams. Chris, who followed in his father's footsteps by catching at Wichita State, had struggled at the plate as a pro until 2014, having the best year of his career upon jumping to Double-A Chattanooga. O'Brien stays within the strike zone and puts the ball in play frequently. He's more of a doubles threat than a masher, but he has solid on-base potential. He earns praise for his game-calling and the way he handles a pitching staff. He has a thick, heavy frame, so his lateral agility isn't great, but his receiving skills are adequate. He has a fringy arm that he used to throw out 29 percent of basestealers in 2014. As a switch-hitting catcher who's better from the left side, O'Brien has a chance to get to the big leagues as a backup or platoon catcher.
