Pirates A to Z: After showing he can play shortstop, Oneil Cruz promises to be ready

During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z: An alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Anthony Alford to pitcher Miguel Yajure.

Player: Oneil Cruz

Position: Shortstop

Throws: Right

Bats: Left

Age: 23

Height: 6-foot-7

Weight: 210 pounds

2021 MLB statistics: Cruz batted .333 (3 for 9) with one home run and three RBIs in two games.

Contract: Not eligible for arbitration until 2025.

Acquired: From the Los Angeles Dodgers, along with pitcher Angel German, in exchange for pitcher Tony Watson in July 2017.

This past season: What started with a whisper ended with a bang.

Cruz had long heard the rumblings that he should switch positions because of his height — too tall for a traditional shortstop — so he embraced the experiment of playing the outfield in spring training.

The Pirates wanted to see Cruz, their No. 1 prospect, in center. So they gave him a glimpse in Grapefruit League play — signaling that a position change could quicken his path to the majors.

“If the opportunity for me is to play outfield, that’s what I’m going to do to not only help the team but to also get closer to my goal,” Cruz said in early March. “I’m excited, and I think it’s going to be a great opportunity.”

For as much as he tried to embrace the opportunity, Cruz was consistent in standing his ground on his preference of where he wants to play.

“I still see myself as a shortstop,” Cruz said. “No one is going to move me out of there.”

Cruz spent most of the season at shortstop, though he did move around quite a bit. He started at Double-A Altoona, where he batted .292/.346/.536 with 15 doubles, five triples, 12 home runs and 40 RBIs in 62 games despite missing more than a month with a right forearm strain.

???????? Oneil Cruz takes a ride on The Skyliner Rollercoaster ???????? pic.twitter.com/4kkmU3FSDl

— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) June 10, 2021

The Pirates promoted Cruz in mid-September to Triple-A Indianapolis, where he went 11 for 21 (.524) and homered in five of his six games.

Oneil Cruz has played in six Triple-A games.

He has hit a home run in five of them. ???? pic.twitter.com/Wrru0K7I3U

— Young Bucs (@YoungBucsPIT) October 1, 2021

That prompted a call-up to the Pirates, though manager Derek Shelton said it was more of a reward for his accountability and attitude.

“The decision was made by us providing challenges to him and him coming through with those challenges,” Shelton said. “The statistical things are nice. If you saw any of the at-bats, they were really good. It was more about taking accountability, and we take that very important and we hold that to a high standard. We felt that he was accountable.”

Cruz made his major league debut against the Cincinnati Reds in the final two games of the season at PNC Park. And he became the tallest player to start at shortstop in MLB history. He flashed a good glove and a strong arm in turning a 4-6-3 double play and his first major-league hit — an RBI single to spark a six-run rally in the fifth inning of an 8-6 win — set a club Statcast record with an exit velocity of 118.2 mph.

The first big league hit ... and the first big league RBI for Oneil Cruz! pic.twitter.com/bVpYDdFN34

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) October 3, 2021

“I didn’t know it was the hardest-hit ball, but I know this kid is talented,” Shelton said. “He hits the ball hard. We saw him hit the ball hard in the minor leagues. Good night for him: Two base hits, double play turned. We got to see the arm. That was impressive. So an impressive debut for Oneil.”

Once again, Cruz flashed his confidence.

“That’s who I am,” Cruz said, repeating it for emphasis. “Anytime I can hit the ball hard, I’m going to get it done.”

Oneil Cruz launches his first MLB home run 408 feet in #Game162! pic.twitter.com/4jPIVgsrH3

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) October 3, 2021

Cruz showed his prodigious power the following night, nearly dropping to a knee to crush an ankles-high 0-2 changeup from Mychal Givens for a 408-foot two-run homer to right field in the ninth inning of a 6-3 loss.

“This kid’s got some severe leverage and talent,” Shelton said. “It’s really nice to get a chance to look at him for two days.”

The future: His two-day taste of the majors only made Cruz want to prove that he can stay and be a difference-maker.

“It’s important to get a little taste,” Shelton said. “Regardless of how small of a taste of the big leagues, it’s still the big leagues. It’s different than every place else. It’s the best players in the world. Any time you can get acclimated I think is important.”

What impressed the Pirates was how Cruz seamlessly handled the transition, playing like he belonged all along. Shelton pointed to the deke Cruz made on a play at second base where the Pirates manager was ejected for arguing. Shelton called it “good baseball” and a “smart” play.

“That’s something that I’ve been implementing ever since Double-A ball,” Cruz said. “I’ve been pretty good at it consistently throughout my minor league career, and I saw the opportunity to do it here in the show, and I pulled it off.”

The next question is whether Cruz can pull off the rarity of skipping a season at Triple-A and jumping straight to the majors. He had 13 errors in 62 games at Altoona and three in six games at Indianapolis, so he could use more innings in the minors if he wants to stay at shortstop.

“This is the message we communicated Oneil: He’s proven to us he can play shortstop in the major leagues,” Pirates farm director John Baker said in September. “He makes plays that nobody else makes. He makes his fair share of mistakes, like every young player, but he’s shown us that he can play shortstop.”

Problem is, the Pirates have a Gold Glove finalist at shortstop in Kevin Newman. They also have an opening at second base, where Newman has played. And there is a gaping hole in right field, after the Pirates parted ways with Gregory Polanco. They also have a desperate need for power in the middle of the batting order, which Cruz has in full supply.

Cruz has made it clear that he believes he’s ready to play in the majors, both with his words and his play. Now it becomes a matter of when he will stay and where he will play.

“I don’t think I’m near or far,” Cruz said. “This is on the Pirates, whenever they feel I’m ready. When they feel I’m ready, trust me, I’ll be ready.”