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Journey To The Show: Tyler O'Neill

Just 13 Canadians appeared in the big leagues in 2019. Many more are grinding it out in the minors, but only a select few ever make it to the majors. Among those names living out their dream in the bigs is Maple Ridge, BC native Tyler O'Neill, who plays for the St.Louis Cardinals. The 24-year old was one of Canada's best prospects back in 2013, eventually getting picked up in the third round of the draft that year by the Seattle Mariners. A mid-season trade in the summer of 2017 sent O'Neill to the Cards, whom he made his major league debut in April of 2018. Although the young slugger has yet to solidify a starting spot with St.Louis, he's remained in the show for the majority of the last two seasons, compiling a .258 average in 121 games, smacking 14 homers in the process.

I had the opportunity to see O'Neill slowly turn into a can't-miss prospect at the start of his grade 11 year back in 2012. We were on our annual trip with the Langley Blaze in Arizona, playing against numerous top JUCO programs and minor league guys. I was so impressed watching this young kid spray balls all over the diamond thanks to his sturdy frame and quick hands at the dish. The son of former Mr. Canada, weightlifting has always been in O'Neill's DNA. He was beginning to bulk up in early '12, but in his senior year, you could see a massive difference in his physique. It showed on the field as well, where he hit balls out of the yard with ease. All the hard work paid off when he was the second Canadian picked in the draft, beginning his professional career in the summer of 2013. The journey to the show had begun.

O'Neill's career got started on the right foot, batting .310 for the Rookie League Arizona League Mariners in 28 games. 27 strikeouts wasn't necessarily a positive for the youngster. Still, it was a learning curve getting used to facing pro arms every day. He got his first taste of full-season baseball in 2014 for the Single-A Clinton Lumberkings, slashing .247 with 13 long balls in 57 games. But it was in the next season where O'Neill found his stroke at the plate for the High-A Bakersfield Blaze. Through 106 contests, the 5-foot-11 outfielder slugged 32 home runs, which led the California League. That outstanding campaign led to O'Neill being named Seattle's MILB.com Organizational All-Star of the year, an accolade that he would collect in 2016 and terrorizing Double-A pitching, going deep 26 times for the Jackson Generals of the Southern League, which is known for its elite arms.

Through six minor league seasons, some shorter than others, O'Neill hit 140 homers. At every level, the Canadian proved that he belonged, eventually earning his call-up to the show in April of 2018. Although he hasn't reached that same level in St.Louis, O'Neill is still a very young player who has a lot of potential. We're talking about a guy who hit a ball over 400 feet off a tee during the Arizona Fall League batting competition in 2016. The pure bat speed that he possesses is among the best of the best in baseball. It's just a matter of getting the opportunity to play every day at the MLB level and get enough at-bats.

From his days with the BCPBL's Langley Blaze to where he is now with the Cardinals, it's been quite the ride. But there is no doubt that O'Neill is where he should be. Only four BC-born players are in the big leagues right now. With baseball in our province always providing top-tier athletes, it's motivating for the current British Columbia players to see the road travelled to go from our region to the MLB circuit.