Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz has received a surprising prediction.
When Oneil Cruz hit the big leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates back in 2021, a whole lot was expected from him.
A 6-foot-7, 240-pound shortstop with prodigious power and gamebreaking speed? Sounds like something out of a video game.
Nevertheless, Cruz has proven to be a pretty significant disappointment for the Pirates. While his speed was as advertised, his bat has been maddeningly inconsistent, and he was moved to the outfield full time in 2025 because of his poor defense at shortstop.
That being said, Cruz still has enough raw talent where some still believe in him, and Danny Demilio of Pittsburgh Baseball Now is clearly anticipating big things out of the 27-year-old this season.
In a piece where Demilio revealed five predictions for the Pirates in 2026, he projected that they would have All-Stars: Paul Skenes (which is pretty obvious) and Cruz.
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images."Last year, Skenes had a teammate with him during All-Star festivities. Although he wasn’t an All-Star, Oneil Cruz participated in the Home Run Derby," Demilio wrote. "This year, I think Cruz will not only compete once again, but he’ll do so as a National League All-Star. And he just might win the Home Run Derby this time, by the way."
Cruz slashed just .200/.298/.378 with 20 home runs and 61 RBI over 544 plate appearances last season, and he owns a lifetime .734 OPS.
Nothing about what Cruz has done thus far has been impressive. Yes, he had a decent 2024 when he posted a .773 OPS and seemed primed for a breakout, but he ended up being one of the bigger busts in baseball the following season.
Cruz's name popped up in trade speculation last summer as a result of his struggles, and there were rumors that Pittsburgh could consider dealing him over the winter.
Instead, the Pirates decided to hold on to the Dominican native — who is under team control through 2028 — to give him another chance in 2026.
There is no question that Cruz's raw ability is tantalizing, but whether or not he ever actually puts it together remains to be seen.
The Pirates will open up against the New York Mets on Thursday afternoon.
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