The Thunder rotation is currently a mess, with Craig Heyer, Graham Stoneburner, and Josh Romanski all currently on the DL with an assortment of injuries. That had left Brett Marshall, Shaeffer Hall, and Cory Abriso as the only active starting pitchers on the Thunder roster. Until earlier tonight that is, when 22-year old Mikey O’Brien was promoted from High-A Tampa to fill one of the slots.
A 9th round pick in the 2008 Amateur Draft, O’Brien has excelled in Tampa so far this year. Over seven appearences (six starts), he’s produced a 4-1 record with an ERA of 2.92. He’s also sporting a WHIP of 1.18. O’Brien had spent 2011 splitting time between Charleston and Tampa.
O’Brien will make his first start with the Thunder on Friday in New Hampshire.
