Prep Baseball Illinois Player of the Week: Gavin O'Neil
May 6, 2025
The Lancers are coming off a perfect 4-0 week, putting them back over the .500 mark as we inch closer to the postseason. One of their key contributors on the year has been OF/RHP Gavin O’Neil (2025; Harper commit), and he’s coming off the week of his career - going 10-for-13 with three doubles, a triple, two home runs, nine RBIs and six runs scored - also hitting for the cycle and earning the win on the mound in the same game. For his outstanding efforts and stellar performance on both sides of the ball, O’Neil is taking home this week’s Player of the Week honors.
His week got off to a solid start, going 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in a good team win over St. Charles East on Monday. Things really started to heat up for him though on Tuesday, as he went a perfect 4-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored in an 11-10 win over St. Charles East once again.
The big ticket game came on Wednesday in a 10-5 win over Glenbard North, as O’Neil went a perfect 4-for-4 as he hit for the cycle, also collecting five RBIs and three runs scored. To make it even better, O’Neil was also the winning pitcher in this contest, going five innings while scattering two earned runs and three strikeouts.
He finished off his week in a 2-1 win over Glenbard North on Saturday, going 1-for-2 with a home run, RBI, run scored and a walk.
There’s a ton of upside when looking at O’Neil, listed at 6-foot-4, 160-pounds with long levers and plenty of room to add strength. It’s easy to dream on the frame, but there’s also plenty of tools to like, as he’s a 6.72 runner that can reach north of 90 mph for his EV and also into the upper-80s with his fastball. He’s been swinging the bat well, boasting the second-best batting average on the team with .321, also leading the team with two home runs and eight doubles. He’s also been one of the Lancers’ top arms, owning a 2.24 ERA in 34.1 innings on the year with 38 strikeouts. The talented two-way will be headed to Harper after this season, and we are excited to follow him throughout his career at the next level, as we think there is still much more in the tank for O’Neil.
Scouting Report
Verbally committed to Harper JC.
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-4, 159.4-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, open setup, minimal leg lift, long and early stride. Hands get back early and are compact, level and longer path, creates leverage at times, occasional line drive contact. 64.7 mph bat speed with 7 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 84.6 mph. 330’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Long 3/4 slot, full arc.
Defense: Smooth, one-hand gather close to body, large hop-step into throw.
Run: 6.72 runner in the 60.