Oneil Cruz is unquestionably the Pittsburgh Pirates’ most-talented player, the center fielder possessing the five tools all scouts crave – the ability to hit for average, hit for power, run, throw, and field.
However, Cruz is still much like crude oil. The Pirates haven’t been able to refine it into the type of gasoline that could fuel an offense that finished last in MLB in runs scored, home runs, and OPS this season.
Though he led the National League with 38 stolen bases and hit a team-leading 20 home runs, Cruz still had a disappointing 2025. The 27-year-old batted just .200/.298/.378 and struck out 174 times in 544 plate appearances over 135 games. Cruz also had minus-14 defensive runs saved in his first full year of playing center field after transitioning from shortstop late in the 2024 season.
The lack of production is maddening to the Pirates’ fans, who increasingly booed Cruz during home games at PNC Park later in the season. The Pirates are also privately frustrated by Cruz’s lack of progress, though they remain hopeful publicly that he can turn into a star.
Manager Don Kelly is encouraged that Cruz has been working out in his native Dominican Republic at the Pirates’ training academy.
“Continuing to work with him on the approach, the way he's approaching every single at-bat,” Kelly said. “I think we saw the way that he got better in the outfield last year as the season went on in his first full season playing center field. Worked really hard at that, and he's doing the same thing offensively now.
“Major leagues are tough as you start to go through those changes and teams adjust to you, being able to make the adjustment back. And we're seeing Oneil go through that right now. He's having a great offseason. Looking forward to him having a really good year next year.”
The Pirates could use a significant step forward from Cruz if they are to move into contention next season after finishing in last place in the NL Central this year with a 71-91 record.
Cruz’s inconsistent effort gives the perception that he is not always engaged or trying to improve. However, general manager Ben Cherington says the Pirates do not question Cruz’s commitment.
“It’s continuing to try and find the right relationships around him that can help him organize his day in the best possible way,” Cherington said. “When he does that, he can be the best player on the field. We’ve seen that for individual games. We’ve seen it for certain stretches of time over the last couple seasons. But we haven’t seen it for a six-month season consistently. He knows that. He knows he has another level in him.
“Every player is different. Every player gets to that level of consistency a different way. I think I’ll continue to be stubborn on the belief that there is another level for him and believe that Oneil is a good person who does care and wants to be good. It’s just going look a little bit different than it does for other guys. Our job is to find a way to unlock that.”