Despite inconsistencies, Oneil Cruz explodes for two towering homers, showcasing the raw power that fuels the Pittsburgh Pirates' unwavering faith.
The critics continually question why the Pittsburgh Pirates stick with Oneil Cruz, and it’s a fair query.
The 27-year-old center fielder can be perplexing at times. He is a poor fielder, an inconsistent baserunner, gives uneven effort when it comes to hustle plays, and strikes out a lot.
On Tuesday night, Cruz showed why the Pirates hesitate to give up on him, hitting two long home runs and going 3 for 4 with three runs scored and three RBIs in an 8-3 victory over the Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
Cruz entered the game with a .143 batting average and finished at .278 as Pittsburgh raised its record to 2-3. His strong performance on Tuesday helped offset his two fielding errors in the first inning on opening day, which set up a five-run frame that led to the Mets’ 11-7 victory in New York last Thursday.
The Pirates signed veteran designated hitter Marcell Ozuna just before spring training, hoping his power would bolster a lineup that ranked last in home runs and runs scored last season, while he also mentored Cruz, a fellow Dominican. Ozuna and Cruz have become close.
Yet it was outfielder Jake Mangum—acquired in the offseason from the Tampa Bay Rays—who gave Cruz a pep talk before Tuesday night’s game, telling him, "Where you go, we go."
“It feels really good to have somebody that believes in you and has your back,” Cruz told reporters after the game through interpreter Stephen Morales. “And he told me the same words he just said, that 'Where you go, we go.' It feels good just to have a teammate like that.”
Mangum has quickly recognized Cruz’s remarkable talent: outstanding power, speed, and arm strength. Cruz’s home runs measured 444 and 403 feet, with exit velocities of 111.1 mph and 108 mph.
Rookie right-hander Bubba Chandler, who got the win in his season debut, is also amazed at Cruz’s talent.
“When Oneil is going, it's special,” Chandler said. “You’re going to see really something big out of him.”
The three-game series concludes Wednesday afternoon, when 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes (0-1, 67.50 ERA) starts for Pittsburgh against left-hander Anthony Abbott (0-0, 0.00). Skenes pitched a career-low 2/3 of an inning on opening day, giving up a career-high five runs.
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