HR Derby, Noah Kahan and Mike Napoli
To say Tyler O'Neill has fit in with the Red Sox is an understatement. That is a reality that was only cemented Sunday night.
The outfielder experienced his first celebratory walk-off moment thanks to a bloop single in the ninth inning, sealing the Red Sox' 5-4 win over the Cubs.
"It was awesome,” said O’Neill, whose batting average sits at .329 to go along with a 1.129 OPS. “You could feel the crowd buzzing out there; I really wanted to come up big for those guys. I didn't get the job done earlier in the game to break it open. I knew the infield was in, so I was just kind of trying to put a good swing on anything elevated to get it in the air so it fell in there this time."
As this latest moment showed, the impression left by O'Neill has come in different forms. He is a vast upgrade defensively in left field compared to what the Red Sox had a year ago. And, certainly, the nine home runs - second-most in Major League Baseball - don't hurt.
So, what's next?
Well, there is something taking place at Globe Life Field July 15 that could very lead to yet another lasting image from O'Neill. That's the Home Run Derby, taking place during All-Star week.
It's a conversation - and idea - that coincidentally surfaced before Sunday's win in the Red Sox' clubhouse.
Question: "Would you do the Home Run Derby if asked?"
O'Neill: "Yes."
Question: "Have you ever been in a Home Run Derby?"
O'Neill: "No, I haven't."
Question: "Is it something you would look forward to participating in?"
O'Neill: "Yeah, absolutely. I think that would be an honor to represent the Red Sox in the Home Run Derby. I don’t know what it’s going to look like. I will just focus on good at-bats and keep squaring the ball up the way I have been. But it would be an absolute honor of me."
O'Neill continued, explaining why there would be no fear of the event throwing off his swing: "I feel like my BP has gotten better, especially as the years have gone on. I can control the ball a little better, which I think has translated into the game. To be able to hit the ball desirably in BP is something I picked up recently. It might be up my alley. It’s definitely something I want to try if it’s an option for me.
"I watched a lot growing up when it was the old format and it was 10 outs. Now it’s more of a rapid fire, more of a conditioning test. It’s a little different. But it doesn’t matter. It’s always something cool and something I have had my eye on for a while. As a kid, watching the All-Star break and the Home Run Derby and watching Josh Hamilton hit those balls 500 feet … If it’s an option on the table for me, I will take it. It would be pretty fun."
Then came perhaps the most important question: Would O'Neill participate in the event without sleeves (as he often does during regular batting practice)?
"It’s a good question," he said with an affirming chuckle. "I will have to think about it."
For the time being, the Red Sox will take what they can get with O'Neill, who is eligible for free agency following this season. Any concerns regarding lingering effects from his recent concussion have been put in the rearview mirror, with the outfielder claiming hits in each of his five games since his return.
"I’m loving it here," O’Neill said on ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” postgame coverage. "I love playing in this ballpark a lot. I fit into this team, I feel. I’m just trying to do my part out there."