In the season finale, Cruz drilled a 0-2 changeup 408 feet into the right-field seats at PNC Park.Ĭruz, however, is likely ticketed to start the regular season at Triple-A Indianapolis. In his MLB debut against the Cincinnati Reds, Cruz roped a single that had the highest exit velocity (118.2 mph) in Pirates history in the Statcast era. When he went 11 for 21 (.524) with five homers in six games, the Pirates brought Cruz to Pittsburgh to play the final two games of the season. 292/.346/.536 with 15 doubles, five triples, 12 home runs and 40 RBIs in 63 games at Double-A Altoona, so they promoted him to Triple-A Indianapolis in mid-September. The Pirates were impressed with how the native of the Dominican Republic recovered from a forearm strain last summer to slash. “That’s the goal, that’s the mindset – not only to reach the big leagues, but stay in the big leagues,” said Cruz, Cruz has made no secret of his desire to stay in the majors after a cameo appearance last fall. Regarded as one of the linchpins in Pittsburgh's rebuilding project, the 23-year-old Cruz projects as the potential five-tool player the Pirates so desperately need after a 101-loss season and third consecutive last-place finish in the NL Central. He’s built like a basketball player yet has a rare combination of size, speed, power, athleticism and arm strength that makes it difficult to pigeonhole him. The towering Cruz at shortstop is an anomaly, not just at his position but in his sport. “He’s pretty talented, man,” Gamel said of Cruz. The home run Cruz hit in Pittsburgh's Grapefruit League opener Saturday was almost identical to his first major league homer last October. (AP) - Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Ben Gamel watched in awe at Oneil Cruz as the 6-foot-7 shortstop prospect