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Tyler O'Neill Enjoys Bounce-Back Season
3 years agoSt. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O'Neill bounced back in a significant way last season after struggling during the 2020 campaign. O'Neill hit .286 with a .352 on-base percentage, 34 home runs, and 15 stolen bases in 537 plate appearances for St. Louis, showing the kind of power and speed that made him an intriguing prospect for years. A .366 batting on average on balls in play might look unsustainable at first glance. However, with a 90th percentile ranking or better in both hard-hit rate and barrel rate, as well as expected stats like xwOBA, expected batting average, and xSLG, O'Neill isn't an obvious regression candidate. By all accounts, the production looks like it's here to stay. That's certainly good news for fantasy managers. Admittedly, the outfielder still strikes out at a fairly high rate. He registered a 31.3% strikeout rate last season, but that didn't stop him from turning in a quality batting average and an extremely productive season. O'Neill currently has an average draft position of 51 per NFBC, which seems about right given his ability to make an impact with his over-the-fence power and speed. Though, with that being said, he has the potential and ability to easily outperform that draft position.
