Drew O’Neil

Penn State closer Drew O'Neil was one of the most dominating pitchers in the Big 10 Conference this spring, going 0-2, 1.88 with 11 saves in 26 appearances. O'Neil threw from an over-the-top arm slot when he arrived at Penn State, but he messed around with a sidearm delivery in a bullpen session early last spring, and the Nittany Lions decided to keep him there. O'Neil's fastball velocity is unusual for a sidearmer: he sits at 89-92 with boring, sinking action and touches 93-94. His slider can be effective against righthanded hitters when he stays behind it, which he has done more consistently as a junior. Sometimes he gets underneath it, causing it to flatten out and spin harmlessly across the zone. He has a changeup that he seldom throws, but he figures to rely on his fastball and slider in pro ball. O'Neil draws comparisons to Mets reliever Joe Smith, who was drafted in the third round out of Wright State in 2006, and O'Neil could be drafted as high as the third himself, but his upside is limited. He could move quickly in pro ball and reach the majors as a reliever.