Nelson Cruz 2020 Outlook: Veteran DH Primed For Another Solid Season
5 years agoNelson Cruz had an excellent year in 2019 as he served as the DH hitting out of the three spot for the power-packed Twins lineup. Cruz slashed .311/.392/.639 with 41 homers, 108 RBI, and 81 runs scored. The 39-year-old ranked in the top-5 in the MLB in OPS (1.031), ISO (.328), wOBA (.436), barrel rate (12.5%), hard-hit percentage (51.5%), and average exit velocity (93.7 MPH). He did post a career-worst 25.2% strikeout rate and his .351 BABIP will likely regress towards his .308 career average, but the veteran has shown absolutely no signs of slowing down despite his advanced age. The addition of Josh Donaldson certainly boosts Cruz's outlook in what was already projecting to be a top-tier offense in 2020. Some slight regression could be in the cards as he had one of the best years of his career last season, but his continued elite hitting metrics and prime spot in a great lineup make him a high-upside mid-round selection. Cruz's ADP of 97.13 is the right spot to target him as his lack of position is baked into his suppressed draft price.