The Pittsburgh Pirates might not be the first team you think of when it comes to postseason powerhouses in the NL Central, but they’ve got some compelling reasons to keep your eyes glued to their games this season.
Leading the charge is Oneil Cruz, a towering 6-foot-7, 248-pound dynamo who’s set to make waves in 2026. While names like Paul Skenes, Bubba Chandler, and the soon-to-be-called-up Konnor Griffin are generating buzz, Cruz is the one who could truly electrify the field.
According to MLB.com's Manny Randhawa, Cruz is predicted to finish with the second-most stolen bases in the National League. Of the 57 MLB.com staff members surveyed, Cruz was a standout pick for his base-stealing prowess.
Last season, Cruz tied with the Mets' Juan Soto, each snagging a league-best 38 stolen bases. This year, he’s poised to be the runner-up in the stolen base race, just behind Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz, another NL Central star sharing the Cruz surname.
Despite his potential, Cruz has yet to deliver a season that fully showcases his extraordinary talent. However, if his spring performance is any indication-with a .385 batting average, two home runs, a 1.106 OPS, and five stolen bases-he might just be on the verge of a breakout.
At 27, Cruz is one of the most intriguing players in the league. Should he manage to harness his skills consistently, he could be looking at an MVP-caliber season, blending power and speed like few others.
His base-stealing has seen a marked improvement over the years, jumping from 10 stolen bases in 2022 to 22 in 2024, and then 38 last season. If this upward trend continues, Cruz could be in for a spectacular 2026. Keep an eye on him-this might just be the year he brings it all together.