New Orioles outfielder Tyler O’Neill eager to learn new team

The Orioles’ new outfielder, Tyler O’Neill, doesn’t know any of his new teammates, but he has a positive impression of his new team. Last season, the 29-year-old played for the Boston Red Sox, and he liked what he saw of the Orioles.

“I was very excited that Baltimore was interested in me,” O’Neill said in a video conference call on Monday. “Playing in the AL East throughout the year, they were a tough opponent, all year.

“They can hit. they’ve got really good starters. The bullpen’s lockdown. So, for me to be able to join that and try and do what I can on my side to help that roster out, I’m really excited for that. There’s a lot of potential with this young core of guys that they have. Winning 91 ballgames last year — hopefully, we can add to that this year. I’m very excited to see where it goes.”

O’Neill, who signed a three-year, $49.5 million contract with an opt-out after the 2025 season, hit .241 with 31 home runs, 61 RBIs and an .847 OPS in 113 games with the Red Sox in 2024.

He played his previous six seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. Coming to Boston, with its unusual field dimensions, was an adjustment. Now, O’Neill must adjust again.

“They want me to be part of the everyday lineup, and I’m looking forward to being able to contribute in that regard,” O’Neill said. “I understand last year I had some splits that were a little more drastic than in years before but, honestly, part of that was playing at Fenway Park and just being in that home ballpark and really trying to tailor my approach to the left-field wall.

“They wanted me to open up to the pull side and kind of had to play up front a little more, which left me less room for error. It worked out. It worked out well, for sure. It definitely caused some streakiness, so to be able to play in a ballpark that’s symmetrical like Camden Yards, I’m really excited to be able to exploit right-center more and use the whole field and see what I can post on top of that.”

O’Neill said that his agent, Scott Boras, and executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias discussed the new shortened left field, and it was a selling point.

“The first conversations that Scott and Mike had together, the wall was definitely part of that conversation,” O’Neill said. “I think it’s good for guys like me, obviously, and I’m looking forward to see what that looks like in person, but it was definitely a topic.”

O’Neill has played more left field than center or right but says moving around the outfield is not an issue.

“I’ve played a lot of left field the last couple of years, but I’ve played center and right field throughout my career, so I am comfortable in both spots,” O’Neill said. “I think last year, trying to understand Fenway Park on the defensive side of the ball took some adjustment. Obviously, right field is very big, and there’s a lot more ground to cover than usual compared to other parks with a very short wall that you have to be aware of and then left field is the exact opposite with it being much less ground to cover and a much larger wall.

“Understanding those dimensions took some adjusting, but the plan for me is to play both corners. I don’t know hoe much playing time I’ll get in center field, but there is potential in the pinch to get out there. Wherever I can help the ballclub ultimately win and make the most impact on a day-to-day basis, it doesn’t really matter where they want me.”

O’Neill has had injury issues throughout his career. He played 113 games in 2024, the second-most in his career. In 2021, O’Neill played in 138 games, hitting 34 home runs, driving in 80 runs, hitting .286 with a .912 OPS.

“It starts with communication with Mike and [manager Brandon] Hyde, and I think that has started off on a great foot, just understanding where I’m at,” O’Neill said. “For me to be able to take it to the next level with my training program and make sure my body is in a really good spot physically, let me stay, just stay more consistent last year, and being able to get in a groove in the batter’s box and that’s what it’s all about.

“Being able to get in those rhythms and stay with the ebbs and flows of the season. I think my best representations of that are 2021 and 2024. Unfortunately, ’2 and ’3, I’ve been dealt with an injury bug, but I’ve done what I can in the training side to make sure that I can be as consistent as possible and feel as good as I can on a day-to-day basis and I think I’m in a really good spot there. So, I have confidence in my body again to be able to go out and produce on an everyday basis.”

O’Neill is looking forward to meeting his new teammates two months from now in Sarasota.

“I don’t know any of those guys on a personal level,” he said. “Only seeing them on the field from playing against each other. But obviously a ton of respect for everyone in that clubhouse. They’ve got a really good thing going on right now.”

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