The Yankees might be onto something special with Yovanny Cruz, a pitcher who’s been more of a rollercoaster than a reliable arm. Originally a Padres prospect, Cruz was known for his blistering triple-digit velocity but struggled with control. Now, it seems the Yankees could be turning his raw power into a more refined weapon.
Cruz dazzled against the Rays, retiring the side with two strikeouts and no walks, consistently hitting over 100 mph with his sinker. This performance mirrored his previous outing against Atlanta, suggesting a promising trend. The key question with Cruz has always been whether he can harness his incredible arm talent by improving his control.
Initially signed by the Padres in 2023 after a stint with the Cubs, Cruz showed potential but also inconsistency. In Double-A San Antonio, he posted a 4.55 ERA over 29 2/3 innings, with 35 strikeouts but 16 walks-a classic case of electric stuff marred by erratic command.
After leaving San Diego, Cruz had a brief tenure with Boston before joining the Yankees as a non-roster invitee. Last season in Double-A Portland, he recorded a 3.03 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings but also issued 44 walks. The Yankees don’t need him to become a control artist overnight, but if they can help him throw enough strikes to let his sinker and power pitches dominate, they might unlock his full potential.
For Padres fans, watching Cruz potentially thrive in New York is a bittersweet pill. San Diego saw the talent and took the risk, but moved on before seeing a return on their investment. While Cruz still has much to prove, the Yankees’ development prowess might be the key to finally channeling his volatility into consistent success.