Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz is fighting to start the year on the Major League roster and made a good case for his cause Monday, blasting a home run into orbit.
In the top of the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte, in the top of the second inning, Cruz hit a home run that landed on top of a roof in right field.
The 6-foot-7, 220 pound 23-year-old is the 26 the overall ranked prospect in the MLB Pipeline and is third in the Pirates system behind second baseman Nick Gonzales (20) catcher Henry Davis (24).
The home run is the second for Cruz in this shortened Spring Training.
Whether he starts the season in Pittsburgh or not, MLB Pipeline predicts Cruz will become a regular for the Pirates at some point this season.
Cruz spent most of the 2021 season at Double-A Altoona before being promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis late in the season.
He also made his MLB debut in the last series of the season. He had one home run and three RBI in nine at bats, three hits and four strikeouts.