Every year, there seems to be a prospect in MLB that becomes trendy and everybody talks about him.
It’s definitely Jackson Holliday in 2024, and it was Elly De La Cruz for most of 2023.
It seems like a decade ago that we were all talking about the toolsy Oneil Cruz, but since he missed much of last season with an injury, people apparently forgot about him.
The Pittsburgh Pirates infielder, however, is emphatically telling fans that he is healthy and hungrier than ever.
If spring training performance is any indication (it’s probably not), Cruz is primed for a big rebound season.
Cruz seems ready to have a monster year not because of his spring numbers, but because he is a truly talented player who is still just 25 years old.
His current excellent form, however, tells us he was serious about his workouts in the offseason and is in top shape, which isn’t insignificant.
On Tuesday, he homered for the fourth time in the spring:
Oneil Cruz homered again pic.twitter.com/jHcvSZb0D5
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 12, 2024
The blast came in the first inning and it left his bat at 105.4 mph.
It’s yet another reminder about Cruz’s immense raw power.
Fans reacted to Cruz’s impressive power on Twitter.
The majority of them are excited about Cruz’s tools and what’s to come.
Such an exciting player🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Captain’s Corner (@Captain2Corner) March 12, 2024
30/30 campaign incoming
— Zack (@zrich412) March 12, 2024
I have a sneaking feeling we’re gonna see a ton of that this year.
— Bryson French (@Bryson_French_) March 12, 2024
Majestic!
— PatriotsNation (@BIGV33) March 12, 2024
Between Triple-A and the majors in 2022, Cruz hit 26 home runs and stole 21 bases.
In both levels, however, his average was in the .230s.
Making more consistent contact will unlock his enormous potential, but even if he doesn’t develop more than his current version, he is a 20-20 threat with slightly above-average offensive performance and some loud tools, including a cannon of an arm.
The odds are on him taking a leap, though, starting in 2024.
His spring batting average is up to .300, with the aforementioned four homers and a 1.340 OPS.
He has been one of spring training’s top performers and could be ready to enter the elite this season.
NEXT:
Young Pirates Star Is Getting Fans Excited In Spring Training
