“I feel like I’ve demonstrated a lot,” Cruz said, “but I guess I’ve just got to continue demonstrating. 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. On the same day they sent incumbent shortstop Kyle Farmer to the Minnesota Twins, the Cincinnati Reds swung a deal to acquire Kevin Newman from the Pittsburgh Pirates. 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. He’s a two-way player, announced as a right-handed pitcher, but spending all of his. Then he dropped his massive hand to mimic fielding a grounder and slapped it. The Pirates went big on Bubba Chandler, signing him to a 3 million bonus in the third round of the 2021 draft. 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. However, the 21-year-old has impressed the team with his bat, slashing. 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.” Fortunately for the Pirates, they were able to record a 12-1 win over the visitors on Monday to record just their third win in their last 10 with the efforts of shortstop Oneil Cruz catching. “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. Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Travis Snider scores on Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer hit, 2nd inning. The 34-year-old will return to Pittsburgh with an opposing team for the first time since being traded, as the Braves front office has allowed him to work with the team.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. ![]() 31 after a month and a half on the disabled list with a dislocated finger. 169 with Atlanta before they released him on Aug. He only played 57 games after signing with the Braves midway through the 2011 season, and was hitting. Although he was a solid hitter for average throughout his stay in Pittsburgh, he was most valuable as a defensive shortstop.Īfter being traded in 2009 to the Seattle Mariners, he would see a decline in his numbers, only hitting one of his 61 career homers after leaving the Pirates. 308, earning the NL Silver Slugger, and represented the Pirates in the All-Star game. His best season in Pittsburgh was in 2004, when he hit. Wilson began his career in Pittsburgh and remained there for nine of his 12 MLB seasons, hitting. Long-time Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson will retire after making one last trip to PNC Park with the team that released him most recently, the Atlanta Braves.
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