Pittsburgh Pirates star shortstop turned outfielder Oneil Cruz impressed in his first full season.
Cruz played his first full season in 2024, playing a career-high 146 games after appearing in only 98 games from 2021-2023. The left-handed power hitter did not disappoint in his first full season, slashing 259/.324/.449 with 21 home runs and 76 RBIs. Cruz also stole 22 bases in the 2024 season.
MLB.com predicts Cruz will have a historic season in 2025, joining Barry Bonds with a 30 home run and a 30 stolen base season.
“Oneil Cruz had aspirations of a 30-homer, 30-steal campaign before the 2023 season, if not a 40-40 season,” MLB.com writes. “A fractured ankle in April cut that dream short. He bounced back nicely in 2024, finishing with 21 home runs and 22 steals, but it tells only part of the story.”
“Cruz consistently improved as he healed and got his timing back and turned a corner against left-handed pitching. If he continues to grow — or even just do what he did in the second half of last season over a full campaign — he could join Barry Bonds as the only Pirates to have a 30-30 season.”
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Cruz was not too far off a 30-30 season in his first full year, so it is not that far of a stretch that he can make Pirates history next season. The 6-foot-7 center fielder improved in the second half of last season and will aim to maintain his high level of play. The Pirates’ future looks bright with young stars like Cruz in the organization.
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