One of the biggest critiques of the Boston Red Sox's offseason moves is that they didn't add enough power to their roster to compensate for some of their recent losses. Willson Contreras is already doing a great job of putting some of those concerns to rest, as he's crushed two homers in Grapefruit League action so far.
But, surprisingly, the Baltimore Orioles could put Boston to shame. They made some savvy moves to add some slug to their lineup, but one of the players they already had has woken up this spring.
Tyler O'Neill has looked like the most dangerous bat in the Orioles' lineup so far. The 2024 Red Sox slugger has clocked seven hits (including one homer and one double) with two walks and three RBI in five spring training games so far — good for a staggering 1.692 OPS.
O'Neill signed with Baltimore last offseason after a successful 2024 season with Boston (.241/.336/.511 slash line, 18 doubles, 31 homers and 61 RBI in 113 games). He didn't have the same luck in his first year with the Orioles, when he slashed .199/.292/.392 over just 54 games.
Former Red Sox slugger Tyler O'Neill is balling out for Orioles in spring training, and he could make them much scarier
Tyler O'Neill has a 2.064 OPS in spring training. pic.twitter.com/WzQRSBeDWy
— Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) February 26, 2026
O'Neill dealt with injuries with the Red Sox, but his 113 games with Boston were the second-most he'd ever posted in a season. Neck, shoulder and wrist issues kept him on the sidelines for all but a third of Baltimore's season.
A healthy O'Neill could be a dangerous home run threat (he's surely readying himself for his annual Opening Day homer now). Alongside Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward and Gunnar Henderson, he could be downright frightening.
Alonso contributed 38 home runs in his final year with the New York Mets, Ward mashed 36 with the Los Angeles Angels and Henderson clocked 17 in a down season. If O'Neill can stay healthy and play his best — which looks possible based on his spring performance and his slimmer (but still jacked) frame — the Red Sox and their other division rivals may have to be more careful around the Orioles than they originally expected (subscription required).
O'Neill will suit up for Canada in the World Baseball Classic, where Sox fans can get a glimpse of how imposing he can be in a rival's uniform. Hopefully Boston's newly revamped rotation can keep Baltimore under control this coming season.