Some of the latest MLB news and notes, including World Baseball Classic fallout involving the St. Louis Cardinals and the Dominican Republic, as well as a big step back for the top Detroit Tigers prospect.
Let’s start with the World Baseball Classic and a pair of teams that didn’t advance to the quarterfinal round. That list includes Canada, a team that dropped a 10-3 decision to Mexico on the final day of Pool C play that officially eliminated them from advancement.
While Canada didn’t make the quarterfinals, one St. Louis Cardinals outfielder made a big impression after a down year in 2022.
St. Louis Cardinals news: Tyler O’Neill impresses, but disappointed with WBC outcome
Despite some gaudy numbers at the plate for Canada, the 27-year-old O’Neill, projected to start in center field for St. Louis in 2023, couldn’t help but wonder if he could have done more to help his team move on to the quarterfinals in Miami.
Tyler O'Neill reached base in 13 of 18 PAs at WBC, drove in four runs, scored five. Asked about his performance, he said, "I wish I came up more clutch in a couple of situations...I'm OK with it, I guess. It's just not enough."
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) March 16, 2023
Total gamer & leader for Canadian team.
While he may have been just OK with his performance, Cardinals fans are hoping it’s a sign of things to come for O’Neill, who struggled through an injury-filled 2022 campaign and posted a lackluster .228/.308/.392 slash line with 14 homers and 58 RBI. If O’Neill can continue to perform the way he did inside the World Baseball Classic, it would be welcome sight for the Cardinals as they look to defend their National League Central crown.