Cruz shows raw strength with HR, impresses at SS

BRADENTON, Fla. -- The majority of people who step into a batter’s box need everything to be just about perfect to homer. Good timing. Good location. Good swing. Oneil Cruz is not the majority of people. In his first action of the spring, Cruz, once again, proved why.

Cruz had another exhibition of his raw, physical tools in the Pirates’ 6-3 win over the Tigers on Saturday, golfing a dirt-destined slider well over the right-field fence. The swing had no business being a home run. Yet, it was. Just another chapter in the book of Cruz’s redefinition of logic.

“When you’re that long and you’re strong and you stay through the ball and you get it elevated, it’s going to go,” manager Derek Shelton said.

Similar to Greg Allen’s solo home run Friday, Cruz may have gotten some assistance from the wind. The ball wasn’t struck well either. There is no exit velocity on Baseball Savant for this home run, but it couldn’t have eclipsed 99 mph. Even with assistance from the elements, there are few players who could turn that swing on that location into a round tripper.

“I thought the ball was about to bounce,” outfielder Ben Gamel said.

Cruz’s home run Saturday was reminiscent of his first and, currently, only Major League home run. In Cruz’s second game, the shortstop extended his arms and clubbed a shin-high changeup well over the right-center-field fence.

In both instances, Cruz had the opportunity to exhibit the raw strength that has many clamoring for him to be the team’s starting shortstop come Opening Day.

Along with the home run, Cruz made a very intelligent play at shortstop. In the first inning with a runner on second, Javier Báez chopped a ball to Cruz’s right. Riley Greene, the runner on second, broke for third on contact. Instead of attempting to make the long throw across the diamond, Cruz fielded Báez’s grounder and flipped it to Ke’Bryan Hayes at third base for the fielder’s choice.

Cruz will likely spend some time in right field this spring, the position that some believe he should transition to, but Saturday, Cruz looked comfortable and smooth as the infield’s captain. The central question that the Pirates’ brass must answer in the coming weeks is whether Cruz holds that position come Opening Day.

There are arguments to be made on both sides of the Cruz debate. Supporters will point to the eye-popping Statcast numbers, as well as last year’s overall body of work. Detractors will point to the mere eight games he’s played above Double-A. Both arguments have merit. Regardless of where he begins next season, the games in which Cruz plays will be appointment television. If he can homer on that quality of swing, one can only imagine what he can do with a pitch in the happy zone.

“I think it was important,” Shelton said of Cruz’s cup of coffee in the Majors last year. “I think it puts him in a different position coming into camp with the ability to have a little more confidence. He knows everybody. He knows the staff. He’s done a nice job. He prepared well in the offseason.”

Pittsburgh’s power
Last season, the Pirates didn’t have a single game in which they hit four home runs as a collective. In their second Spring Training game, they’ve checked that box. Along with Cruz, Gamel, Endy Rodriguez and Tucupita Marcano all went yard, helping liven up the mood on an afternoon where Mitch Keller was removed early after taking a line drive to the left thigh.

Marcano and Rodriguez, the Pirates’ No. 9 and No. 19 prospects in last year’s MLB Pipeline rankings, respectively, are still making their way through the farm system, but Gamel is a very strong candidate to be a regular come the beginning of the season. Shelton has indicated that there will be healthy competition across the diamond, save third base and center field, but Gamel’s omission from the Opening Day starting lineup would be a bit of a shock.

Upon being claimed off waivers from Cleveland last year, Gamel put together a very solid year at the plate, his best since his days with the Mariners. Across 326 at-bats, Gamel slashed .255/.352/.399 with eight home runs and a 105 wRC+.

“I’m just trying to find a place that I can get to that’s very repeatable,” Gamel said. “I’m in a good spot right now and just trying to bottle it up.”