Pirates supervisor Derek Shelton introduced to reporters right now that shortstop Oneil Cruz can be moved to middle subject. As as to if this can be 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 Submit-Gazette on X. Isiah Kiner-Falefa would be the membership’s major shortstop for the remainder of the yr, 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 pink, as he continuously options as among the best gamers within the league by way of issues like exit velocity, dash pace and arm energy.
Nonetheless, there have at all times been questions on regarding parts in his recreation. A kind of is his that his super skill to crush the baseball additionally comes with large quantities of strikeouts. And the opposite large query has been about whether or not his peak 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 measurement at that place for an prolonged time frame. The Bucs have given it a attempt 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’s time to attempt a change. The Bucs hovered round rivalry for a lot of the summer season however they’ve fallen again recently. 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 with the intention 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 assist, 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 could 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 function or reduce him from the roster regardless.
The remaining 5 weeks of the schedule will give Cruz an opportunity to get aware of the place, which he has by no means performed. He has 80 minor league innings in left subject 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, will be higher deployed in middle subject.
If he appears satisfactory on the market in middle, it can naturally impression 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 middle if he takes to it. Bryan Reynolds was as soon as the membership’s middle fielder however he has principally been within the corners for the previous two years. Jack Suwinski acquired a shot up the center after a robust 2023 season however he crashed again to earth this yr.
The Bucs acquired Bryan De La Cruz from the Marlins on the deadline to attempt to solidify proper subject. He has three seasons of membership management past this one whereas Reynolds is beneath contract by means 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 doubtlessly assist out sooner or later as effectively.
Kiner-Falefa is a reliable defender at a number of positions, together with shortstop, and is beneath contract for one more 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 middle, then their offseason will be spent specializing in different features of the roster, reminiscent of 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 thus far 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 develop into a stable defensive middle fielder as an alternative.
