PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates infield prospect Oneil Cruz started in centerfield for Thursday’s Pirates Spring Training camp.
He’s willing to do that now, but doesn’t see his career there.
“I see myself as a shortstop,” Cruz said through Pirates interpreter Mike Gonzalez. “No one is going to move me out of there.”
At this time, the 22-year-old said he understands playing there to get reps and opportunities for at bats against major leaguers. He said he heard rumblings about it, so took it upon himself to work at it during Winter Ball in the Dominican Republic. Playing in the outfield in intra-squad games and scrimmages.
He sought out advice from major league outfielders Marcell Ozuna, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco.
“If the opportunity for me is to play outfield then that’s what I’m going to do,” Cruz said. “To not only to help the team, but to also get closer to my goal. I’m excited and I think it’s going to be a great opportunity. I feel ready and equipped, especially getting some reps out there in Winter Ball.”
Cruz said the Pirates were upfront during the first meeting of the year that he was still a shortstop, but they currently have a three-way battle for that position. They need Cole Tucker, Kevin Newman and Erik Gonzalez to get the majority of those reps.
He said it’s up to the Pirates when he will be ready for that MLB opportunity. In the last full year of minor league ball, Cruz played as high as AA in 2019. Hitting .269 with 8 doubles and a homer in 35 games.
At 6’7”, he’s not a prototypical baseball player let alone shortstop. He’s one of a few people on earth who has prayed to stop growing, ever since he hit 6’1”.
If there is an area he has enjoyed growing, it’s time with his teammates. Cruz said it was a bad year for society in 2020 and he feels for those who lost. But it turned out being good for him.
“Myself, when I look back at that experience in Altoona,” Cruz said of the Pirates prospects that worked out there for a few months last summer. “I thought it was a great experience. Even though we didn’t go out and play.”
“There was something special about being together as brothers sharpening each other. Pushing each other. Challenging one another. It was a season filled of iron sharpens iron. We were just helping each other grow in many areas.”
“For me and my experience, we gained a lot by being able to train hard throughout those months.”
Shortly after leaving the bubble in September to be with his pregnant girlfriend, Cruz arrested in the Dominican Republic after his vehicle collided with a motorcycle carrying two men and a woman. All three died. It was initially thought Cruz was under the influence, a point that has been disputed.
Cruz and the Pirates have declined to discuss the situation in detail. Cruz said of just being in Florida with his teammates.
“In the beginning I was very fearful of not being able to continue to play the game that I love,” Cruz said. “To reach the dream I always had of reaching the big leagues.”
“However when things became clearer late and everything was solved. I was able to reach that hope again that I would be able to play. Now I have peace.”