The Cardinals' outfielder started in left, and he has seen time in right, and one thing to watch in the coming weeks of games is whether he appears in center.

"Tyler is in a great spot," manager Mike Shildt said after the Cardinals' 9-5 victory and O'Neill's two-RBI, two-hit day. "He's got his working paying off. He's improving his craft."

The Cardinals see O'Neill as a power bat off the bench for the opening day roster, but his prominence could grow if Marcell Ozuna continues to struggle with his health or Dexter Fowler struggles to produce toward the end of spring. Ozuna has yet to have a hit this spring, and after reporting to camp about 25 pounds heavier has had to get his fitness in the first few weeks of the team's workouts. The Cardinals see Ozuna getting closer to game-ready shape in recent days, though he has yet to be cleared to appear in left field as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery.

O'Neill has positioned himself along with Jose Martinez as the ready alternative. If Ozuna has to start the season on the disabled list or the Cardinals need a righthanded-hitting complement to Fowler then O'Neill and Martinez are slugging it out this spring for those at-bats.