Pending free agent Tyler O’Neill is picking up a major accolade during his memorable season with the Red Sox in 2024.

O’Neill was voted by the players as the MLB Player’s Association American League Comeback Player of the Year. His 2023 season was cut short to 72 games, causing a low home run and RBI output.

The MLBPA released a video tribute to O’Neill’s season, including an interview with the slugger himself, along with congratulations from many of his peers.

“That comeback player of the year award is really special. Just a testament to his work ethic,” fellow major leaguer Colton Cowser said of O’Neill. “What he’s able to accomplish has been great this year.”

Hard work never quits. 💪 Congratulations, @toneill21, on being named the 2024 Players Choice Awards AL Comeback Player!@RedSox | @MLBONFOX pic.twitter.com/ax9whXBrQy

— MLBPA (@MLBPA) October 26, 2024

Despite his off year in 2023, the Red Sox banked on a better version of O’Neill when they signed him to a one-year deal for 2024. O’Neill delivered in a major way, leading Boston in home runs with 31, the second-highest total of his career. The outfield slugger also knocked in his second-best RBI total (61).

Notably, both of his career-highs in home runs and stolen bases occurred in 2021, when he played 25 more games than his 113 appearances in 2024.

O’Neill also co-led all MLB players with the most multi-home run games in 2024. He, along with the Houston Astros’ Yordan Alvarez, notched seven such performances.

“My guys in Boston got him going in the right direction. Not surprised there,” former Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale said, appearing in the video. “I’m happy for him. Going through struggles myself with injuries and things like that. To get back there, I’ll always have respect for that.”

Despite his reliability in Boston’s lineup, O’Neill’s future is incredibly murky heading into free agency. The seven-year MLB veteran was vocal about his interest in staying with the Red Sox in 2025. The Red Sox reportedly are unlikely to give O’Neill a qualifying offer, though, which will complicate matters.

Still, O’Neill has popped up among names mentioned by MLB insider Jim Bowden as good fits in Boston among this year’s free agent class. No matter where O’Neill lands next season, the year he spent in Boston should be memorable for all sides involved. And an AL comeback player award is the icing on the cake for one of the best seasons of O’Neill’s career thus far.