Yovanny Cruz: The Yankees' Spring Training Sensation
Yovanny Cruz is turning heads in Spring Training with his electric arm, and the Yankees might have struck gold by picking him up from the Minor League free agent market. After spending last year in Double-A and struggling with command, Cruz was let go by the Red Sox. Now, he’s showing signs of becoming a key bullpen asset for the Yankees.
Cruz's fastball is a sight to behold, consistently hitting 100 MPH, and his bullet slider is leaving Major League hitters baffled. This combination could make him a valuable addition to the Yankees’ bullpen in the latter half of the season.
Known for their prowess in developing pitchers, the Yankees might have found another gem in Cruz, whose pitch quality is turning heads.
The Must-Watch Arm in the Yankees’ Bullpen
Cruz’s velocity isn’t entirely new-he’s been known to throw in the upper-90s. However, this Spring Training, he’s consistently hitting 101 and 102 MPH. While his command remains a work in progress, he’s been aggressive in the zone, suggesting potential as a future closer.
While the fastball gets much of the attention, Cruz’s slider is equally impressive. With elite vertical drop at 88-90 MPH, it’s a pitch that could dominate both lefties and righties.
His fastball shape might not be perfect, but the velocity allows it to excel high in the zone. If he hones his slider, Cruz could become a standout reliever in the big leagues.
There’s also talk of a changeup in his arsenal, but even just his fastball-slider combo is formidable, thanks to its overwhelming velocity and breaking ball potential.
While Jake Bird and Brent Headrick have also impressed this Spring, Cruz has the potential to emerge as the standout if he continues to develop throughout the Minor League season. The Yankees might just have found their next bullpen star.