RADIO
Oneil Cruz 2024 Player Outlook: Post-Hype, Enticing Power-Speed Combo Still Hard To Overlook
11 months agoThe hype train for Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz steamed right on into the 2023 season, only to see it come to a screeching halt just nine games in with a fractured ankle. During his 2022 call-up, it took a while to really get rolling, posting an 85 wRC+ in June, 70 in July, 89 in August, then finally breaking out with a 146 wRC+ in September/October. The final line was .233-17-54-45-10 with a .320 WOBA and 105 wRC+ in about half of a season's worth of action (361 PA, 87 games). The 35% K% from 2022 needs to come down, but he offered a glimmer of hope in the small 2023 sample, collecting seven BB to eight K in 40 PA (20.0% K%). The fleet-footed Cruz had a 98th-percentile sprint speed in 2022, so a full season of bigger bases and limited pitcher disengagements will be exciting to watch. FGDC projections are modest, with a .251-23-64-79-19 line, a WOBA of .338, and wRC+ of 110 in only 128 G (553 PA). RotoBaller ranks the 25-year-old at 80 overall, on par with his NFBC ADP. If he can manage closer to 145 G in the leadoff spot, he could easily finish Top-7 at his position.
