ONEIL CRUZ NEWS

At leadoff spot for opener Cruz is at leadoff for the Pirates in their season opener Thursday against the Reds.

Impact Cruz jumped up into the leadoff spot down the stretch in 2022, and he can hopefully latch onto that role throughout the entire 2023 campaign. The dynamic 24-year-old shortstop has tallied 18 home runs and 10 stolen bases across his first 89 major-league games.

MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cutting down strikeouts Cruz has struck out 11 times in 44 at-bats during Grapefruit League play.

Impact Cruz has only 10 hits this spring -- four of which have gone for extra bases -- but his improved ability to make contact is a positive sign. He struck out at a 34.9 percent clip across 361 plate appearances in the majors last season, but he regularly kept his punchouts within the range of 25 percent throughout his minor-league career. If his increased contact rate can carry over into the regular season, it's a good bet that Cruz will improve upon his .233 average while also providing plenty of home runs and stolen bases.

MARCH 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Contract renewed for 2023 Cruz has his contract renewed for the 2023 season by the Pirates on Wednesday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Impact Cruz will make the league minimum $720,000 as he participates in his first full season of MLB action in 2023. The uber-athletic shortstop is expected to make a major leap forward in his development this year and will look to flex both his power at the plate and his speed on the bases. Cruz said late last month that he expects to have a 30 homer, 30 steal season for the Pirates, a lofty goal for the 24-year-old. He'll look to improve upon the uninspiring .233 average and 34.9 strikeout percentage he produced over 331 at-bats in 87 games last year.

MARCH 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Manoah among 15 players whose contracts renewed by teams

Toronto All-Star pitcher Alek Manoah was among 15 players whose contracts were renewed by their teams rather than reach negotiated agreements

MARCH 14, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

MLB 26-and-under power rankings: No. 13 Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates' impressive group of young players begins with a pair of big-league infielders — and extends much further.

MARCH 8, 2023

Jason Mackey: Milestones such as 30-30 or 40-40 could be the new Statcast for Pirates' Oneil Cruz in 2023 LAKELAND, Fla. — When Oneil Cruz was promoted to the major leagues last season, he essentially put Statcast on notice, warning that “whateve...

MARCH 2, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Jason Mackey: Milestones such as 30-30 or 40-40 could be the new Statcast for Oneil Cruz in 2023 With what Oneil Cruz did against the Tigers on Wednesday — a homer and steal — it was hard not to think about a 30-30 or 40-40 season.

MARCH 1, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

No limitations for spring training The Pirates announced Wednesday that Cruz (ankle) is a "full go" for spring training, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Though Cruz sustained what was reported to be a minor ankle injury in December while he played in the Dominican Winter League, his availability for the start of spring training was never believed to be in much question. It's reassuring nonetheless that the Pirates have cleared him for full activity for the first week of camp, ensuring that the 24-year-old can continue to hone his craft in the field and at the plate during the Grapefruit League slate. Last week, Cruz told Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic that he expects to turn in a "30/30 or 40/40" season, and while that type of lofty production probably isn't realistic, a 20/20 season is certainly attainable for the toolsy shortstop if health prevails and he shows some growth as a hitter. In 361 plate appearances with the big club as a rookie last season, Cruz notched 17 home runs and 10 stolen bases, but a bloated 34.9 percent strikeout rate weighed down his batting average (.233).

FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cruz's goal in 2023? A 30-30 season BRADENTON, Fla. -- Oneil Cruz’s ambitions are as tall as him. As a rookie, Cruz demolished 17 home runs and stole 10 bases in 87 games. That...

FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • MLB.COM

Rob Biertempfel: Pirates SS Oneil Cruz on his goals for 2023:... - The Athletic Pirates SS Oneil Cruz on his goals for 2023: "I’m looking for 30/30 or 40/40 this year. The one that is going to be under my control is to p...

FEBRUARY 16, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Ranking the best 23 shortstops of 2023 in the MLB

Who are baseball's best shortstops? Ben Verlander breaks down his five tiers.

FEBRUARY 8, 2023

How Oneil Cruz, Jack Suwinski and 2 more Pirates youngsters must improve in 2023 What must graduated former prospects such as Cruz, Suwinski, Roansy Contreras and Yerry De Los Santos do to take steps forward this year?

JANUARY 9, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Oneil Cruz career timeline Career timeline: Oneil Cruz

JANUARY 4, 2023 • MLB.COM

Reading between the lines on the Pirates' outfield surplus, Oneil Cruz's injury and more GM Ben Cherington talks about possibly acquiring another pitcher, Oneil Cruz's ankle and if the roster will be better in 2023.

DECEMBER 21, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Suffers minor ankle injury Cruz suffered what's believed to be a minor ankle injury while playing in the Dominican Winter League on Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact While it's good news that the Pirates are referring to the injury as minor, it's too early to say that Cruz is definitely in the clear. The injury is at least serious enough that the Pirates will have him undergo further tests. Once the results of those tests are known, it should become clear whether or not Cruz is at risk of missing time next season.

DECEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sources: Oneil Cruz suffers minor ankle injury in Dominican Republic Oneil Cruz suffered what’s believed to be a minor ankle injury while playing in the Dominican Republic, sources told the Post-Gazette.

DECEMBER 17, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Pirates add Santana looking for power, veteran presence

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed veteran first baseman/designated hitter Carlos Santana to a one-year contract

NOVEMBER 29, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pirates send SS Newman to Reds for reliever Moreta

The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded infielder Kevin Newman to Cincinnati in exchange for relief pitcher Dauri Moreta

NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cruz hits mammoth homer ... in softball game It may be the offseason, but Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz hasn’t stopped obliterating baseballs. Cruz’s latest impressive display of power c...

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • MLB.COM

Pirates' Oneil Cruz understands both lofty ceiling and potential pitfalls after rookie season With Oneil Cruz, you see what you want to see. Those looking for the Pirates’ next big thing can point to all of the hard-hit balls he had u...

OCTOBER 12, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Amid the losses, Pirates believe end of overhaul is in sight

The Pittsburgh Pirates believe they are nearing the end of their top-to-bottom rebuild despite another 100-loss season

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pittsburgh Pirates host the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday

The Pittsburgh Pirates host the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Swipes 11th bag Cruz went 3-for-6 with a run scored and a stolen base in an 8-7 extra-inning loss Tuesday against St. Louis.

Impact Cruz singled in the first, third and 10th innings, scoring a run in the first and stealing a base in the 10th. It was his 11th stolen base in 15 attempts this season and fourth steal since Sept. 23. He's had multi-hit performances in six of his last eight games, posting a .429/.487/.514 slash line in 39 plate appearances in that span. He's cut down on his strikeouts over the final part of the season and has a 5:5 BB:K in his last 44 plate appearances.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE