- Full name Brandon O'Neal
- Born
- Profile Throws: R
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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O'Neal didn't take the mound at all as a Kansas freshman and only sparingly as a sophomore, so 2000 was the first year he truly focused on pitching. He went just 1-6 for the Jayhawks, but the Angels were more interested in the numbers he put up on the radar gun: 91-96 mph with a fastball that has nasty sink. He didn't show that much velocity after signing, quietly trying to pitch through elbow problems with only sporadic success. He had bone spurs removed from his elbow once the season ended and should be healthy again this spring. O'Neal's changeup also dives at the plate, giving him two sinkers with a wide disparity in speeds. His slider needs the most work of his three pitches because he tips it off by slowing down his arm speed. Anaheim officials believe he can move quickly once he gets back to 100 percent. Because of his inexperience and injury, he'd be best served by starting 2001 at Cedar Rapids.