The St. Louis Cardinals announced prior to today’s game that they have recalled rookie outfielder Tyler O’Neill from Memphis (AAA) and optioned right-handed pitcher John Brebbia to the triple-A Redbirds.
O’Neill, 22, was off to a terrific start at Memphis, batting .388 while leading the Pacific Coast League in RBI (18) and total bases (41) and co-leading the league in home runs (6), while ranking 2nd in slugging pct. (.837) in his first 12 games.
The right-handed hitting O’Neill had a recent 10-game hitting streak and enjoyed a pair of two-homer games, including a game on April 6 at Round Rock during which he compiled 10 total bases.
A native of Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, the 5-11, 210-pound O’Neill has hit 107 home runs in his 467 career minor league games to go along with his .271 batting average.
Brebbia appeared in two games in relief following his April 8 recall from Memphis, working 2.0 scoreless innings.
O’Neill, who will be making his Major League debut with his first game appearance, has been assigned uniform no. 41. According to research by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, O’Neill will become the 25th Canadian-born player to appear in a game for the Cardinals.
