Pirates supervisor Derek Shelton introduced to reporters at present that shortstop Oneil Cruz might be moved to heart discipline. As as to if it is a everlasting transfer or simply an experiment, Shelton mentioned “I believe proper now, we’re taking a look at 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 on account of his apparent pure talents. His Statcast web page options loads of crimson, as he continuously options as top-of-the-line gamers within the league when it comes to issues like exit velocity, dash pace and arm energy.
Nonetheless, there have all the time been questions on regarding parts in his sport. A kind of is his that his large capacity 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 forestall 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 strive however the outcomes haven’t been wonderful. 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 strive a change. The Bucs hovered round competition for a lot of the summer time however they’ve fallen again these days. As of proper now, they’re eight video games again of a playoff spot within the Nationwide League and would want to cross six different golf equipment to be able 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 kind of 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 reduce him from the roster regardless.
The remaining 5 weeks of the schedule will give Cruz an opportunity to get acquainted with the place, which he has by no means performed. He has 80 minor league innings in left discipline and one main league inning in that nook as effectively, however that’s the sum of his outfield expertise. Maybe the pure athletic talents of Cruz, notably his pace, might be higher deployed in heart discipline.
If he appears satisfactory on the market in heart, it’ll naturally influence the membership’s future, this offseason and past. He can nonetheless be retained for 4 seasons past this one, so he may give the membership an anchor in heart if he takes to it. Bryan Reynolds was as soon as the membership’s heart fielder however he has principally been within the corners for the previous two years. Jack Suwinski obtained a shot up the center after a robust 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 discipline. He has three seasons of membership management past this one whereas Reynolds is underneath contract by means of 2030 with a membership possibility 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 underneath contract for an additional season past this one. The membership will want a long-term resolution there however he can cowl the spot within the brief time period. Termarr Johnson, one of many membership’s finest 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 heart, then their offseason might be spent specializing in different facets of the roster, similar to second base, first base or the bullpen. For Cruz personally, he has been a robust 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 may maybe enhance his future incomes energy if he can turn into a strong defensive heart fielder as a substitute.
