Oneil Cruz, Roansy Contreras Named To MLB Pipeline All-Rookie Second Team

A pair of Pittsburgh Pirates’ rookies received some recognition for their 2022 campaigns.

Shortstop Oneil Cruz and right-handed pitcher Roansy Contreras were named to the All-Rookie Second Team according to MLB Pipeline.

Cruz received his first extended look at the big league level, appearing in 87 games for the Pirates this year. In all, the 24-year-old hit .233 with a .744 OPS.

Cruz finished second among National League rookies with 17 homers, trailing teammate Jack Suwinski and Michael Harris of the Braves who each slugged 19.

Additionally, Cruz finished second in RBIs for rookies in the Senior Circuit with 54, tied for second in triples with four and tied for fourth with 10 steals.

Cruz missed out on first-team honors to Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña.

Like Cruz, Contreras also received his first extended look with Pittsburgh after bouncing between Triple-A and the big leagues earlier in the season.

Contreras put together a fine season, finishing 5-5 with a 3.79 ERA across 21 appearances/18 starts. Contreras was tied for second on the team and was in the top five for N.L. rookies in wins.

The right-hander punched out 81 in 95 innings and limited apposing hitters to a .225 batting average against.

Both Cruz and Contreras figure to play important roles for the Pirates as Pittsburgh looks to build a sustainable winner.

Entering the season, Cruz was considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball while Contreras was pegged as the Bucs’ top pitching prospect.