The Pittsburgh Pirates kicked off their 2026 MLB season on the road against the New York Mets, and while there's plenty of optimism surrounding this Pirates squad, the opening game didn't quite go as planned.
Paul Skenes struggled right out of the gate, failing to complete the first inning before being pulled. Meanwhile, Oneil Cruz, a player the Pirates have been eagerly waiting to see break out, had a tough night with several key errors.
As highlighted by ESPN's David Schoenfield, the Pirates are running out of patience with Cruz. At 27, it's crunch time for him to deliver on his potential. The Pirates can't afford to wait much longer for him to step up.
Cruz's talent is undeniable-he's got some of the most impressive power in Major League Baseball and the physical attributes to match. However, his performance on the field hasn't lived up to those lofty expectations.
His struggles in center field were evident in Game 1, and consistency at the plate has been elusive throughout his Major League career.
For the Pirates to have a shot at the postseason, Cruz needs to finally tap into his potential. While there's still hope he can turn things around, the clock is ticking. At this stage in his career, Cruz can't rely solely on potential; he needs to start producing results.
Schoenfield emphasizes that this season is make-or-break for Cruz. Despite his potential and the Pirates' willingness to take a chance on him, the team needs him to break out now.