![]() The Pirates could move Cruz to the outfield, or first base, or even become the designated hitter, but that certainly won’t come in 2022.Ĭruz is the main draw for a 40-58 Pirates team that has lost eight of its last 10 and three straight. While his arm strength and range are apparent, Cruz provides highs and lows that are associated with an inconsistent defender. Oneil Cruz JUST missed Josh VanMeter here on the throw to first lol /Cijk1tfOcO- Mr Matthew CFB July 26, 2022Ī move off of shortstop would make Pirates social media channels implode and question the organization for potentially not believing in Cruz’s defensive abilities. To sum up his struggles, Cruz committed an error roughly every 28 innings, or every three games, during his six years in the Minors. 926 fielding percentage, in 2,671 innings. In the Minors, Cruz committed 96 errors at shortstop, good for a. His four errors in 257.2 innings contributes to a. He has stolen four bags, but has been caught stealing three times. At least the concern.Ĭruz has struck out 42 times in 113 at-bats while walking just five times. 221 with 6 home runs and 21 RBI in 30 games, climbing the Pirates rookie ranks in runs batted in factoring the number of games played. The 23-year-old from Nizao, Dominican Republic is batting. “I feel like I’ve demonstrated a lot,” Cruz said, “but I guess I’ve just got to continue demonstrating.Oneil Cruz with the fastest throw (97.8 mph) recorded by an infielder in the Statcast era!!! /pSIdnD78tT- Pittsburgh Pirates July 14, 2022Ĭruz can hit the ball a mile out of the ballpark and easily recorded the hardest-hit ball for the Bucs this season only days after being promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis. If Cruz is willing and able to make the transition to the outfield, that could lead to a quicker path to the majors. Sports Illustrated labeled him “The Next Big Thing.” Instead, he became a bust. Like Cruz, Polanco was a top prospect projected for stardom. While Shelton professed his love for Cruz’s confidence, the Pirates have a gaping hole in their lineup in right field after releasing Gregory Polanco last August. “At shortstop.”Ĭruz then ticked off a list of players whose style of play he admires: Corey Seager. Then he dropped his massive hand to mimic fielding a grounder and slapped it. When asked about playing other positions, he said it hadn’t been discussed. “We’re just excited to see more of Oneil,” Cherington said.Ĭruz is adamant about wanting to stay at shortstop. With Gold Glove finalist Kevin Newman returning at shortstop on a one-year, $1.95 million contract and little chance of contending, the Pirates don’t feel rushed to have Cruz start the season in the majors. After spending that summer at the alternate training site in Altoona, he has only 310 at-bats above the Class A level. When that is, I don’t think any of us know.”Ĭruz’s development was delayed by the coronavirus-shortened 2020 season. “Oneil is going to have an impact on our club this year at some point. “There’s still development to be had there,” Shelton said. Pirates manager Derek Shelton called his October call-up for two games a “reward,” which general manager Ben Cherington explained was based on how Cruz responded to challenges laid out to him in spring training last year.īoth Cherington and Shelton have said that they want Cruz to experience playing other positions – primarily in the outfield – which is an experiment better suited to the minor leagues than the majors. In the season finale, Cruz drilled a 0-2 changeup 408 feet into the right-field seats at PNC Park.Ĭruz, however, is likely ticketed to start the regular season at Triple-A Indianapolis. In his MLB debut against the Cincinnati Reds, Cruz roped a single that had the highest exit velocity (118.2 mph) in Pirates history in the Statcast era. When he went 11 for 21 (.524) with five homers in six games, the Pirates brought Cruz to Pittsburgh to play the final two games of the season. 292/.346/.536 with 15 doubles, five triples, 12 home runs and 40 RBIs in 63 games at Double-A Altoona, so they promoted him to Triple-A Indianapolis in mid-September. The Pirates were impressed with how the native of the Dominican Republic recovered from a forearm strain last summer to slash. “So my mindset right now is working double time.” “That’s the goal, that’s the mindset - not only to reach the big leagues, but stay in the big leagues,” said Cruz, who hit his second home run of the spring on a similar pitch on Monday. Cruz has made no secret of his desire to stay in the majors after a cameo appearance last fall. Regarded as one of the linchpins in Pittsburgh’s rebuilding project, the 23-year-old Cruz projects as the potential five-tool player the Pirates so desperately need after a 101-loss season and third consecutive last-place finish in the NL Central.
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