MARCH 13, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
ONEIL CRUZ #15 - SHORTSTOP - PITTSBURGH PIRATES
21 HR •
76 RBI •
.259 AVG
21 HR
76 RBI
.259 AVG
Pirates spring training preview: Breaking down the 34 position players in camp Finally, it's Oneil Cruz's time ... or is it? Read up on all of the position players. Plus, ridiculously early predictions for Opening Day.
The good and the bad of the Pirates' 2022 ZiPS projections It’s possible the Oneil Cruz hype train won’t leave the station until the middle of this summer for a variety of reasons — an ongoing...
FEBRUARY 14, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
Oneil Cruz honored as Pirates' minor league slugger of the year Oneil Cruz was recognized for his immense power on Wednesday, earning the Pirates’ Willie Stargell slugger of the year award.
OCTOBER 27, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
Pirates GM Cherington: "seeds" planted to grow future winner
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington says he is seeing signs of improvement at the major-league levelOCTOBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pirates see signs of progress amid another dismal finish
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton says the team has made progress even while finishing last in the NL Central for a third straight seasonOCTOBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Clocks first home run Cruz went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Reds.
Impact Cruz swatted a 408-foot shot in the ninth inning of Sunday's loss, his first MLB long ball. The 6-foot-7 rookie went 3-for-9 with three RBI in his quick two-game taste of big-league action this season.
OCTOBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Oneil Cruz homers, but Pirates end season in typical fashion with 6-3 loss to the Reds What is the most appropriate way for this Pirates’ season to end? It probably starts with a failure to sweep the final series of the season....
OCTOBER 3, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
Votto hits 36th homer, Reds top Pirates 6-3 in season finale
Joey Votto hit his 36th home run and the Cincinnati Reds finished their season with a 6-3 win over PittsburghOCTOBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
'He's a unicorn': Oneil Cruz makes a statement (at 118 mph) in Pirates debut Oneil Cruz, the Pirates' 6-foot-7 prospect, made some noise in his big-league debut and could be a sign of the Pirates' fortunes changing.
OCTOBER 3, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Pirates prospect Oneil Cruz reflects on path to his unique MLB debut Oneil Cruz wasn’t expecting to make his MLB debut this season. However, it was a reward for a job well done in the minor leagues.
OCTOBER 3, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
Picks up pair of hits in debut Cruz went 2-for-5 with two singles, an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 8-6 win over the Reds.
Impact After tearing it up in the minors this season, Cruz was awarded a late season call-up, pushed for heavily by manager Derek Shelton. The 6-foot-7 shortstop did not disappoint, scalding a pair of base hits (including one that came off the bat at 118.2 mph) and picking up the first RBI of his career. As the third-ranked prospect in the Pirates' system, there are already high expectations for what the 22-year-old can bring to the table next year.
OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Pirates surge to victory over Reds as Oneil Cruz makes MLB debut PITTSBURGH — Oneil Cruz yanked the bright red batting gloves from his gigantic hands after the fifth inning had finally finished Saturday, t...
OCTOBER 3, 2021 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
Cruz's arrival -- and 118.2 mph hit! -- keys win PITTSBURGH -- The first time Ke’Bryan Hayes saw Oneil Cruz hit baseballs in person, Cruz was a 19-year-old prospect at Pirate City in Braden...
OCTOBER 3, 2021 • MLB.COM
Reynolds' four hits power Pirates to 8-6 win over Reds
Bryan Reynolds had four hits, raising his batting average aboveOCTOBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oneil Cruz ends big year in Pittsburgh When a team is in rebuilding mode, there are going to be plenty of opportunities for prospects to get up to the big leagues and show what th...
OCTOBER 3, 2021 • MLB.COM
Pirates pumped to see Oneil Cruz make his MLB debut Saturday Oneil Cruz isn’t your average prospect. In many ways. So the Pirates are understandably excited to see his MLB debut.
OCTOBER 2, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
Called up, starting Cruz was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.
Impact Cruz's call-up was expected since manager Derek Shelton wanted to reward the 22-year-old following a successful season in the minors. He'll start at shortstop and bat eighth in his major-league debut against the Reds on Saturday.
OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Bucs to call up No. 3 prospect Cruz (source) PITTSBURGH -- The most anticipated callup of the Pirates’ 2021 season is finally here. A source told MLB.com that the club is promoting shor...
OCTOBER 2, 2021 • MLB.COM
Call-up imminent Cruz's contract will be selected by the Pirates on Saturday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Impact Cruz spent most of the season at Double-A Altoona but was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis in late September. He appeared in six games in Indianapolis and hit .524 with five homers, 11 runs, seven RBI and a stolen base. The 22-year-old will have a chance to make his major-league debut during the final two games of the regular season.
OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Massive production nets promotion speculation for Oneil Cruz For about 15 minutes Friday, it seemed like Oneil Cruz was headed to Pittsburgh. He’s not, but he has still been mashing at Class AAA.
OCTOBER 1, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
Heading to Triple-A Cruz is expected to be called up to Triple-A Indianapolis to close out the season, Jarrod Prugar of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.
Impact Cruz missed a month and a half with a forearm strain earlier in the season and will advance to Indianapolis for the first time. The 22-year-old appeared in 62 games at Double-A Altoona this year and slashed .292/.346/.536 with 12 homers, 51 runs, 40 RBI and 18 stolen bases.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Q&A with Pirates farm director John Baker on top prospects Henry Davis, Oneil Cruz, Bubba Chandler and more In a conversation, John Baker explains how the Pirates’ development approach has changed and what's ahead for some of the club's prospects.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Off The Bat: Manager offering important assist for Oneil Cruz's development Oneil Cruz bases his relationships on trust. Class AA Altoona manager Miguel Perez has that, and it has been big for the Pirates prospect.
SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
Returns to play Cruz went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI in Double-A Altoona's 11-3 win over Somerset on Friday.
Impact He served as the team's designated hitter in his first game action since June 30. Despite talk of moving him to the outfield, Cruz has played exclusively at shortstop in 2021. Whether the 6-foot-7 prospect sees time in the outfield remains to be seen. He's slashing .298/.356/.551 with nine homers and 10 stolen bases in 195 Double-A plate appearances.
AUGUST 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Back from injured list Cruz (forearm) was activated from the 7-day injured list by Double-A Altoona on Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Impact Cruz has been sidelined six weeks by a forearm strain but he's back on the active roster for the Curve on Friday. The 22-year-old is expected to be eased back into the lineup at designated hitter before returning to the outfield.
AUGUST 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
