Pittsburgh Pirates top ten prospects for 2020
By David Hill
7. Oniel Cruz
Minors (RK, A+, AA): 292 plate appearances, .298/.356/.475, eight homers, 15 doubles, 11 steals, 24 walks, 74 strikeouts
The tools are there with Oneil Cruz. It is just a matter of the Pittsburgh Pirates prospect to get everything to fire at the same time.
Originally signed as an international free agent by the Dodgers, Cruz was acquired as part of the deal that sent Tony Watson to Los Angeles. An athletic specimen, Cruz tantalized with his potential, but was unable to get everything to click at the same time. That is, until 2019, when he began to show the type of player he could develop into.
Standing at 6’6″, there are questions as to whether or not he will outgrow short. However, he has continued to work on his defense, where his athleticism has helped him make strides with the glove. Cruz absolutely has the arm for the position, as he possesses a true cannon that may be the best at the position in all of baseball. Offensively, he has tremendous raw power that is starting to appear in game action, but still needs to continue to refine his approach at the plate.
Cruz is somewhat of an enigma. He has all the tools, but had not been able to put everything together. However, if he can continue to make adjustments offensively, he has the speed and arm to find a role in the majors. Even if he does not stick at short, he could be a solid option in a corner outfield spot, especially given his cannon and power potential.
If Oneil Cruz can put everything together, he could be a superstar in the making. Until then, he remains a tantalizing prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates system.