TAMPA, Fla. (KMOX) - Tyler O'Neill's case for a spot on the St. Louis Cardinals opening day roster grows stronger by each hit this spring.
Each of the 23-year-old's first four hits of Grapefruit League play were home runs. After going 2-4 in Wednesday's 9-5 win over the New York Yankees, he's hitting .238 this spring with six runs scored and a 1.242 OPS. His four home runs is tied for second most of any player in spring training.
He and fellow outfielder Jose Martinez would be two very potent bats off the bench for manager Mike Shildt in 2019. But if Marcell Ozuna's shoulder doesn't heal as quickly as expected, O'Neill may not be on the bench at all come opening day.
There's still 20-plus games remaining for the Cards this spring and O'Neill still needs to drop his strikeout numbers (seven in 21 AB's this spring).
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