Diamondbacks could move top catching prospect O'Brien to outfield

The Arizona Diamondbacks' already paper-thin catching depth could become more sparse. 

Top catching prospect Peter O'Brien was a realistic option to reach the majors this season, but the 24-year-old has battled throwing issues this spring. 

During a pair of games earlier this month, there were at least 10 occasions where O'Brien struggled to throw the ball back to the pitcher. The Diamondbacks have opted to remove him from behind the plate and have him penciled in for some work in the outfield in the coming weeks. 

"I think he's going to play some outfield (once the minor league season starts) and catching isn't out of the question, but we're still talking internally to figure out what's best for him," farm director Mike Bell told azcentral sports. 

Despite deploying the deficient trio of Tuffy Gosewisch, Oscar Hernandez and Gerald Laird, the Diamondbacks have been reluctant to add a catcher this season. 

The Diamondbacks' plan was to bring O'Brien along behind the plate with the hope he'd progresses into their everyday catcher. Where that plan stands now is unclear.