Oneil Deal

 

At the close of the Spring Training period in Bradenton, Oneil Cruz had cracked 14 RBIs, 7 home runs and 12 hits in 44 at-bats. Logic would dictate that Cruz is on track for a breakthrough, star-making season. His career hasn't been so simple, however.

Oneil Cruz is still searching for a full season of MLB play, and while he was once a 22-year-old young phenom, he is now 25 and still handled like a rookie. Not everything has been his fault; the Pirates keeping Cruz in Indy for half the 2022 season felt cruel and meaningless if he was ready for MLB play, and if anything it bruised his ego. Then last year, as he was ready to go, Cruz immediately has a massive injury and misses the entire 2023 season. Cruz altogether has played 98 games, which is less than Jordan Walker, who is 22, played all of last season. 

And while in 2021, the novelty of a 6'7 shortstop was enough to set Cruz apart from his peers, he's not even the only above-average-height shortstop with the name Cruz anymore. The new hip thing in that department is Elly de la Cruz, who looks to factor heavily into the rival Reds' season, and has already shown versatility and flair in his, heh, NINETY-EIGHT MLB GAMES TO THIS POINT. 

I didn't even prepare that when going into this argument. Oneil Cruz isn't even the only tall shortstop named Cruz from the NL Central who's played 98 MLB games anymore! The tide really HAS turned...

The bottom line is that with more unusually tall shortstops popping up, it's more important that the Oneil Cruz story begins fully, without any further delay or mishaps. The Pirates are ready for him to go ahead and start performing consistently. I genuinely think this will be his year, and though there is the chance of another horrifically-timed injury or setback, I think he has the momentum and numbers to power this team through it.

The good news, though, is that it's not entirely on Cruz to help the Pirates succeed, because this is a much more well-rounded team this year. Henry Davis and Jared Triolo factor heavily into the Opening Day picture, and given their Spring Training stats they're looking at excellent full seasons. The bullpen, which was already excellent last year, has been improved by the additions of Aroldis Chapman and Josh Fleming. Having Martin Perez and Marco Gonzales has properly bolstered this rotation, and Perez especially will be helpful for this team, even with Mitch Keller, Luis Ortiz and Quinn Priester looking at great seasons. Ke'Bryan Hayes, Bryan Reynolds and Andrew McCutchen are all still here, and most of them look really good heading into the year. 

And with the Cardinals and Brewers not guaranteed competitive positions, the Pirates could definitely sneak into the mix with a good enough effort. It's not guaranteed, with the Cubs and Reds also looking to compete this year, but I feel better about this Pirates team than I have about the last few, and that doesn't mean nothing.

It would genuinely help if Oneil Cruz has a great season, though. And I think he wants it just as much as the rest of us.