Lake Erie Crushers’ O’Brien makes most of opportunity

Sometimes a disappointment can turn into an opportunity.

Austin O’Brien hoped to get taken in this year’s Major League Baseball draft. Though he wasn’t, O’Brien got an opportunity to join Lake Erie with the results being resounding. Last week in six games, O’Brien hit three home runs. In just 19 games this season, he has five homers.

“It was disappointing because it’s a dream you have. … As a young baseball player, your whole dream is to get drafted, play pro ball and eventually make it to the big leagues.

“Despite the disappointment, I knew I still had something to offer. I knew my heart was still in the game and I wanted to give it a shot. But if I don’t give it a shot, I might look back and think I really wish I had given it a chance.”

A high school All-American, O’Brien continued his career at Oklahoma. He played four years and finished with 18 career home runs. His uncle Charlie O’Brien played 15 years in the majors.

After the draft, O’Brien’s father managed a player who knows Lake Erie manager Cameron Roth. It didn’t take long for the two parties to get in touch with each other. O’Brien signed, getting his second chance to chase his dream.

“It’s a blast to be here and I’m thankful Cam gave me an opportunity,” O’Brien said. “All these guys have done a really great job of welcoming me and making me feel at home.”

Playing first base since he signed, O’Brien has been stellar defensively. Offensively, he has shown he has more pop in his bat. After his power outburst last week, O’Brien has hit five home runs in the 19 games. He is hitting .290 with 12 RBI.

Playing against some fantastic talent while at Oklahoma, when O’Brien got to Lake Erie he immediately saw a difference. But it wasn’t in talent.

“Obviously I saw some really good arms playing for OU, but one of the biggest things is the consistency,” O’Brien said. “Play some mid-week games where you saw some guys who weren’t as strong.

“Playing six games a week is a big difference, too. You see good arms every day and guys coming out of the bullpen also have good arms. It’s just that consistency of seeing good arms every game.”

Another difference O’Brien cited was playing a game during the middle of the week and the bulk of the schedule being played on weekends. In the Frontier League, six games a week is the norm.

Living in Oklahoma his entire life, O’Brien got a chance to come to the Midwest. So far he has liked what he has seen.

“This is a beautiful part of the country,” O’Brien said. “I got to see Cleveland a little bit and I really love the city and being here.

“I have had a great experience so far. Obviously, the goal is to get to signed, but I’d love to come back here.”

Crushers win

Lake Erie (28-34) got a complete-game performance from Jordan Kurokawa to down River City, 2-1, July 27 at Sprenger Stadium in front of 1,820 fans.

O’Brien and Connor Oliver each had a RBI in the second inning. The offense was more than enough for Kurokawa.

Kurokawa (4-3) didn’t allow a hit after the third inning – which is when the Rascals scored their lone run. In going the distance, he had four strikeouts and was helped by the defense with three double plays.

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