Pirates supervisor Derek Shelton introduced to reporters as we speak that shortstop Oneil Cruz will likely be moved to middle area. As as to if this can be a everlasting transfer or simply an experiment, Shelton mentioned “I believe proper now, we’re him as a middle fielder” per Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Publish-Gazette on X. Isiah Kiner-Falefa would be the membership’s main shortstop for the remainder of the 12 months, per Hiles on X.
Cruz, now 25, has lengthy been an thrilling participant because of his apparent pure skills. His Statcast web page options loads of purple, as he steadily options as the most effective gamers within the league when it comes to issues like exit velocity, dash velocity and arm power.
Nevertheless, there have at all times been questions on regarding components in his sport. A kind of is his that his super capability to crush the baseball additionally comes with large quantities of strikeouts. And the opposite huge query has been about whether or not his top would stop him from sticking at shortstop. Cruz is listed at 6’7″ and there’s by no means actually been a participant of that dimension at that place for an prolonged time period. The Bucs have given it a attempt however the outcomes haven’t been superb. Cruz has over 1700 main league innings at shortstop now however with -8 Defensive Runs Saved and -13 Outs Above Common.
It appears the membership has determined now could be time to attempt a change. The Bucs hovered round rivalry for a lot of the summer season however they’ve fallen again currently. As of proper now, they’re eight video games again of a playoff spot within the Nationwide League and would wish to go six different golf equipment with a purpose to get in. The Playoff Odds at FanGraphs give them only a 0.4% probability of pulling it off whereas the PECOTA Standings at Baseball Prospectus are even much less optimistic at 0.1%.
With the season roughly on life help, the membership is clearly turning its consideration to the longer term. Middle fielder Michael A. Taylor has reportedly been positioned on waivers because the membership hopes for somebody to tackle what’s left of his $4MM wage. If he’s claimed, it will save the membership some cash and open up the place for Cruz. If Taylor isn’t claimed, the membership will presumably both transfer him to a bench position or minimize him from the roster regardless.
The remaining 5 weeks of the schedule will give Cruz an opportunity to get conversant in the place, which he has by no means performed. He has 80 minor league innings in left area and one main league inning in that nook as effectively, however that’s the sum of his outfield expertise. Maybe the pure athletic skills of Cruz, notably his velocity, will be higher deployed in middle area.
If he appears satisfactory on the market in middle, it should naturally affect the membership’s future, this offseason and past. He can nonetheless be retained for 4 seasons past this one, so he might give the membership an anchor in middle if he takes to it. Bryan Reynolds was as soon as the membership’s middle fielder however he has largely been within the corners for the previous two years. Jack Suwinski obtained a shot up the center after a powerful 2023 season however he crashed again to earth this 12 months.
The Bucs acquired Bryan De La Cruz from the Marlins on the deadline to attempt to solidify proper area. He has three seasons of membership management past this one whereas Reynolds is below contract by way of 2030 with a membership choice for 2031. The membership additionally has guys like Billy McKinney, Connor Joe, Ji Hwan Bae, Joshua Palacios and Suwinski on the roster to probably assist out sooner or later as effectively.
Kiner-Falefa is a reliable defender at a number of positions, together with shortstop, and is below contract for an additional season past this one. The membership will want a long-term answer there however he can cowl the spot within the brief time period. Termarr Johnson, one of many membership’s greatest prospects, is a center infielder however hasn’t but reached Double-A and can want some extra time to climb the ladder.
If the membership feels good about Kiner-Falefa at shortstop and Cruz in middle, then their offseason will be spent specializing in different features of the roster, corresponding to second base, first base or the bullpen. For Cruz personally, he has been a powerful offensive performer regardless of his strikeouts. He has hit .252/.314/.459 up to now in his profession for a wRC+ of 111 whereas additionally stealing 30 bases. That has include subpar shortstop protection however he might maybe enhance his future incomes energy if he can turn into a stable defensive middle fielder as an alternative.
