![]() 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. 235/.303/.412 in 208 PA.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. He spent most of the season with the Yankee Triple-A affiliate, where he slashed. The only positions he hasn't played are first base and catcher. He's played all over the field, including over 2,000 innings at short. ![]() Owings is a 10-year vet who played most of his career with Arizona, the team that drafted him in 2009. The other non-roster invitee with a shot to make the team is infielder Chris Owings. While a plus defender, Maggi did not perform well in Triple-A last season, hitting for a slash line of. He was also drafted by the team in the 2010 draft in the 15th round. Maggi is a 33-year-old career minor leaguer who spent last season with the Phillies and Pirates. The Pirates also have a couple of non-roster invitees in the mix who could potentially break camp as the backup shortstop, starting with Drew Maggi. Peguero, however, had a down year in 2022 with Altoona and it would appear unlikely for him to break camp with the team to start the season. Castro had a -1 Defensive Runs Saved in his short sample at shortstop, committing 5 errors.īehind them in the minors would be Tucupita Marcano, who appeared at the position last season for the Pirates, Jared Triolo, a stellar defender at third who had time there in Altoona, and top shortstop prospect Liover Peguero, who started at short in his debut this past season. The Pirates have a couple of middle infielders on the roster that have experience at shortstop in Rodolfo Castro, who played the position in 155 innings in the majors last season, and Ji-Hwan Bae, who has yet to appear there in the big leagues. It is no surprise that he will be the starter there in 2023, but he will need his days off, so who will be his backup? Cruz displayed raw power, speed, and arm strength last year in his rookie season while taking over the starting shortstop role from Kevin Newman. Who will be the backup?įor the first time in a long time, the Pittsburgh Pirates have an exciting starter at shortstop: Oneil Cruz. The Pittsburgh Pirates will enter the season with one of the most exciting shortstops in baseball.
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