Three Former Baseball Factory Players Make Their Way To The Majors
As the regular season schedule begins to wind down for teams around the majors, the beginning of September gives teams a chance to add players who are currently on the 40-man roster to join the major league roster with September call-ups to find out who can provide help in the stretch run or to simply gain experience and their first “cup of coffee” in the majors.
For three former Baseball Factory players who have recently received their call-up, the time is now to make an impact to determine what their roles could be in 2016 and beyond.
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves are both eliminated from playoff contention, but September provides an important month in rebuilding with top organizational depth. Teammates Brandon Drury and Peter O’Brien have joined the Diamondbacks roster, while Ryan Weber has joined the Braves pitching staff.
Weber, who received his call-up on September 8th, was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 22nd round of the 2009 Draft and made the long climb through Atlanta’s minor-league system as both a starter and reliever. Weber began this season at Double-A Mississippi, appearing in 11 games (three starts) where he walked just one batter and struck out 24 in 26 1/3 innings pitched. He was then bumped to Triple-A Gwinnett, making 27 appearances six starts) where he won six games and recorded three saves, striking out 35 batters in 73 1/3 innings.
After showing a low walk rate and with the struggles of the Braves starting rotation, Atlanta gave Weber the opportunity to start, making his major league debut on the 8th against the Philadelphia Phillies and pitched well enough to keep his team in the game, going six innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out two.
In June 2007, Weber was selected to the Under Armour Southeast Tournament and later that summer, participated in the prestigious Cape Cod High School Classic.
Brandon Drury
Meanwhile, Drury has quickly moved up Arizona’s organizational ladder as a prospect that can help them in the future as they retool the major league team with young, talented players.
Drury was involved in the trade that sent outfielder Justin Upton from the D-Backs to the Atlanta Braves before the 2013 season. In 2014, Drury hit 23 home runs between High-A Visalia and Double-A Mobile in Arizona’s minor league system.
He began 2015 with Mobile, hitting .278 with three homers and 36 RBI in 67 games and was selected to the Southern League All-Star Game. Drury was then promoted to Triple-A Reno where he showed the power potential that the Diamondbacks covet, hitting .331 with 26 doubles in 63 games.
On September 1st, Drury received the call to the majors and the 23-year old infielder – who very well may be Arizona’s future at third base – collected four hits in his first 15 at-bats, including his first major league double and RBI on September 14th.
Drury began his Baseball Factory journey with a Under Armour Baseball Factory College PREP event in Monmouth, Oregon back in November of 2008. He also made appearances at the 2009 and ’10 Under Armour Pre-Season All-America Tournament and the Under Armour Team One West event where his pro skills were on display as one of the more well-rounded players in those events.
Drury’s teammate in Reno did just as much damage with the long ball in 2015 and also received his call-up by Arizona in the last month of the season.
Peter O’Brien
Peter O’Brien was originally drafted by the New York Yankees in the 2nd round of the 2012 Draft and later traded to Arizona at the 2014 trade deadline for infielder Martin Prado.
Last season, O’Brien hit 33 of his 34 home runs while in the Yankees organization, and upon the trade, quickly became Arizona’s top-hitting power prospect. This season, O’Brien dominated Triple-A pitching in 131 games, hitting .284 with 35 doubles and nine triples. His 26 home runs were tied for 2nd most in the PCL and 107 RBI is good for first. Additionally, his .551 slugging percentage was fourth-best in the PCL.
Called up on September 11th, O’Brien took on a pinch-hitting role off the bench to record two hits in his first three at-bats for Arizona. His first major league hit was also his first major league RBI against the Dodgers.
O’Brien began his Baseball Factory experience way back in 2006, participating in both National Tryouts and College PREP events in South Florida in 2006 and ’07. He was a 2007 Under Armour All-American and was also selected to the Team One South event in July of 2007.
