Oneil Cruz is one of those rare players who makes you sit up every time he steps onto the field. At 6-foot-7 with elite-level speed, raw power, and a rocket arm, Cruz has the kind of physical tools that scouts dream about and fans can’t stop watching. But as we head into spring training, the big question hanging over the Pirates’ dynamic outfielder is the same one that’s followed him since he broke into the league: Can he put it all together?
Cruz’s journey has been anything but linear. After suffering a fractured fibula that derailed his 2023 season, 2025 was supposed to be a bounce-back campaign.
Instead, it turned into a mixed bag. His OPS dipped from .773 to .676, and his expected batting average slid from .259 to .218 - not exactly the numbers Pittsburgh was hoping for.
But the deeper you look, the more you realize the tools are still there. He’s still hitting the ball as hard as anyone in the game.
His bat speed? Elite.
His speed on the basepaths? Game-changing.
And let’s not forget the cannon he’s got for an arm.
There were signs of growth, too. Cruz showed improved plate discipline last season, drawing more walks - a small but important step in refining his offensive game.
And while the move to center field added another layer of complexity to his development, it also showed just how versatile and athletic he is. Not many players can make that transition at the big-league level, let alone in their first full season at a new position.
At just 26, Cruz is still in the early stages of what could be a special career. And according to reports, he’s coming off a productive offseason - the kind of offseason that has the Pirates quietly optimistic that the best is yet to come.
That optimism isn’t limited to Cruz. Pittsburgh, a team not typically known for aggressive offseasons, made some notable additions via trades and free agency.
The front office clearly sees a window, and they’re trying to capitalize. But while those moves raise the team’s floor, Cruz is the one who could raise their ceiling.
If he takes the leap - if he becomes the superstar his tools suggest he can be - the Pirates go from interesting to dangerous in a hurry.
It’s not just about potential anymore. It’s about translating that potential into production.
The Pirates don’t need Cruz to be good - they need him to be great. And the league is watching to see if this is the year he finally breaks out.
The tools are there. The opportunity is there. Now it’s up to Cruz to deliver.