Orioles’ O’Neill disappointed in 2025: ‘I didn’t pull my weight’

SARASOTA—Tyler O’Neill had a rough first season with the Orioles with three stints on the injured list for neck, shoulder and wrist woes. The 30-year-old outfielder was limited to 54 games, hitting .199 with nine home runs and 26 RBIs.

O’Neill spoke about his hopes for the 2026 season and playing for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic to a group of reporters at the start of spring training. Here are excerpts:

Question: How did the chance to play for Canada come about?

O’Neill: “Any time I can represent the Maple Leaf in an international platform, I’m going to jump at that. I have a good relationship with the staff, a lot of the players. Playing meaningful baseball in the middle of spring training is always a fun time as well. I think it’s going to be really good for me and propel to a strong start.”

Question: Did this move up your preparation during the offseason?

O’Neill: “It always does. I’d like to get on my feet sooner, swing the bat a little sooner. I feel good. I feel healthy right now. I feel like my swing’s in a good spot, so eager to get down here and working with the guys in a team format and get things going.”

Question: Is there something to emphasize this spring because of your health issues last season with a new team?

O’Neill: “I don’t think there’s any hiding that last year was a big disappointment for me. I don’t feel like that’s a representation of me, my skill set, the quality of player that I am and what I can bring to this ballclub. I know there’s a lot more in the tank, and I’ve been working really hard on some fine adjustments to make sure that I’m in a good position to be able to produce this year.

“I’m really excited with who else we have in the clubhouse. We’ve had a lot of good signings and good additions to this team. There’s a lot of buzz and a lot of good energy.”

Question: How did you feel about last season?

O’Neill: “Very disappointing from a performance standpoint. I really feel like I graded out well metrically, but obviously the production wasn’t there, so there’s a fine line of adjustment that I need to make but also understanding that there was a lot of positives last year that I took from it, but it doesn’t matter if the ball doesn’t drop in the outfield. It doesn’t matter if you’re lining out. Nobody cares, right?

“All about producing, being able to use the whole field or coming up big with runners in scoring position, whatever that might be.”

Question: You didn’t hit as well against left-handers as you did in the past. Do you think the addition of two big right-handed hitters, Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward, will help you?

O’Neill: “I didn’t pull my weight last year the way that I should have, the way I was expected to. It weighs heavily on me, rather than everyone else. There’s an expectation there for me personally. I’ve done everything I can this offseason to make sure that I’m coming into spring in a good spot, and I’m healthy and making those adjustments to fine-tune and produce.

“Those guys are going to be middle of the lineup hitters. Wherever I fit around, that is great.”

Question: How important is it for you to forget about 2025?

O’Neill: “I was coping with it a lot early on in the offseason. There’s a point where, what’s done is done. I need to regroup. I know the kind of player I am. I’m always going to be confident in myself I’m always one swing away. It doesn’t matter what kind of a slump you’re in or anyone’s in, you’re always one click away from being great again.

“Metrically, I graded out pretty good, but obviously production wasn’t there. Finding that fine-tune and what that needle looks like to throw up the numbers I should be and produce in the way I should be for these guys. Hopefully, I can do my part, and we’re going to go deep into the postseason this year.”

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.