Perrotto: How’s Oneil Cruz’s Defense? Depends Who You Ask

PITTSBURGH – It appeared the Pittsburgh Pirates were going to fall one out short of throwing a shutout.

With two outs in the ninth inning and a runner on first base, the Houston Astros’ Jake Meyers hit a 104.4-mph liner to deep center field. It seemed certain that Meyers would get at least a double and Yainer Diaz would score.

However, Oneil Cruz raced to the front of the warning track and made the catch to preserve the Pirates’ 3-0 victory on Wednesday night at PNC Park.

It wasn’t a catch that will be memorialized on highlight reels. However, it was a tough play, one that Cruz might not have made two months ago.

The play showed why the Pirates have not second-guessed their decision to convert the 6-foot-7 shortstop into a center fielder late last season.

“His ceiling’s really high,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “The work that he’s put in, the jumps that he’s getting now, and the way that he’s gone out. His reads have gotten better. Just the work that he’s putting in to get to that point, he’s doing a great job.

Cruz studies tape daily with Pirates first base coach Tarrik Brock, who also serves as the team’s outfield coach.

However, Cruz gets more practical experience on the field before games. He tracks fly balls during the early portion of batting practice before later taking his swings in the cage.

“I know him and T-Brock have a little competition too during BP, so it keeps it fun,” Kelly said.

Cruz seems to have finally reconciled that he is a center fielder. Though he never said so publicly, Cruz’s body language and facial expressions made it clear last year that he was displeased about being moved off shortstop.

Cruz made his center field debut last Aug. 28 and played in 23 games at the position in 2024. He committed two errors and had minus-3 defensive runs saved.

“He always wanted to be a shortstop, but even last year when he went out there, he loves short, but he was open to center field,” Kelly insisted. “I think as he’s gotten out there and as he’s gotten better and continued to work, continued to learn what it takes to be an outfielder, too. Obviously, he’s not a finished product.”

Kelly feels that Cruz is developing better instincts in center field now that he has logged 73 games there over the past two seasons.

“I think it’s that work in BP,” Kelly said, “You can take fungoes all you want, but it’s not the same. When you get out there in BP and it’s live, that’s where I’ve seen the biggest strides for him is from that group one BP shagging. It’s been eye-opening how much it’s helped him.”

While Cruz is passing the eye test, he is not passing the metrics test. He has already made six errors in 50 games this season and has minus-7 DRS.

Evaluators from other teams remain skeptical of Cruz being a long-term fit as a center fielder. They point to him getting late jumps on fly balls, his off-target throws, and general lethargic look.

Pirates ace Paul Skenes has had praise for Cruz after recent starts and thinks he could eventually develop into a Gold Glove winner.

Kelly agrees.

“Like Paul said, in a couple years it’s going be really special to watch,” Kelly said.

No one can question Skenes’ pitching skills. It will take more time to judge his scouting acumen.