Jay
O'Neal

Built with some present and projectable physicality, O’Neal’s ability to command the zone with a fastball that ran up to 90 mph stands out amongst his peers. Delivering with a loose, quick arm from a near ¾ slot while striding slightly open down the mound, O’Neal’s ability to garner swings and misses in the zone with the fastball, especially against premium hitters, stood out at the NPI, and shines well on his future upside. The pitch was back spun anywhere from 2450-2600, and coming from a flatter vertical approach angle, it appeared to deceive hitters with riding life through the zone while also exhibiting some late arm side life at other times. Also showcasing confidence in what is likely to be a swing-and-miss slider (76-78, 80), O’Neal possesses elite, right now stuff in the 2025 class, and his upside remains incredibly high given the all around athleticism and frame. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound South Carolina recruit went nearly seven innings across two outings before giving up a run, and his 9.2 total innings with 11 strikeouts and four runs allowed does not do justice to the advanced stuff, mound presence, and potential that the right-hander showcased on the week.