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Cardinals news: Tyler O'Neill and Dylan Carlson comment on center field competiton
Tyler O'Neill and Dylan Carlson are set for a battle to start in center field this season
The St. Louis Cardinals tipped their hand a bit to begin Spring Training, having Tyler O'Neill begin camp training solely in center field. This sparked conversations about how much of that was related to his preparation for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic, and how much of that was signs of how the Cardinals may choose to use O'Neill this season.
According to John Denton of MLB.com, when Oli Marmol was asked about O'Neill's work in center field, he was clear that it was him competing for the starting center fielder job. He went on in detail that O'Neill was looking for this competition coming into camp.
“He came into camp wanting that [position],” Marmol said. “He came up through our Minor League system and actually through pro ball as a pretty good center fielder, so he's going to get a shot there. It's something he wants and he's going to compete for it.”
When Denton asked O'Neill about competing to be the center fielder, O'Neill said he'd love the opportunity and has worked this off-season to improve his quickness for a potential position change.
Honestly, it's easy to see why both O'Neill and the Cardinals would be interested in this change. O'Neill is a two-time Gold Glover in left field, and with his elite speed, a move to center field seems like something he can handle. His move there would also may it easier for the club to start Jordan Walker, who would likely play in the corner outfield once he makes his MLB debut.
On top of being a capable defender there, if O'Neill's bat returns to form this year, he gains even more value being a slugging center fielder rather than a corner outfielder. Approaching free agency after the 2024 season, it makes sense for the 27-year-old to boost his value as much as he can.
What may be even more telling so far is how Dylan Carlson has handled the competition to this point.
Dylan Carlson asked to meet privately with Oli Marmol about the competition
Both Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and John Denton reported that Carlson called a private meeting with Oli Marmol on Tuesday related to the competition and "get a sense of their shared views as camp opens".
When Carlson was asked about the competition, he said simply "Big camp for a lot of people."
While Carlson has entered camp with adjustments to his body, swing, and eyewear in efforts to improve offensively, allowing O'Neill, and to some extent, Lars Nootbaar, to compete for roles in center field shows that Carlson's spot in the outfield may be the shakiest at the moment. John Mozeliak said at the beginning of camp that if the season started today, their outfield would likely be O'Neill, Carlson, and Nootbaar. But if this competition does not spark improvement from Carlson, one of Jordan Walker, Alec Burleson, Juan Yepez, Moises Gomez, or Brendan Donovan could be replacing him in the starting outfield.
I don't think this is a sign that the Cardinals have given up on Carlson. Rather, they are now in a position where they can truly push a young player like Carlson to make steps forward in his game or be replaced by internal options. The Cardinals have too many young, up-and-coming talent to allow players to struggle too long, and Carlson's leash may be the shortest of the bunch.
If Carlson responds well to this competition and hits in an encouraging way, I see no reason why he would not start in center field on Opening Day. But should he struggle, or be outperformed by the club's other options, it appears that St. Louis is very willing to make a change by the end of camp.
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