There might not be a player in MLB as physically gifted as Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz.
He can hit a ball harder than everyone (he registered a record 122.4 mph bullet single that almost went through the outfield wall last year), he can run like the wind, is athletic, and has a cannon for an arm.
His play improved with time during the past season, and what started like a disaster turned out to be a slightly above-average offensive performer.
Cruz slashed .233/.294/.450 with a 106 wRC+ (100 is considered league-average offensive performance) in 2022.
He hit 17 homers and stole 10 bases.
Splitting his season in two, we get a marked improvement, though.
From June 20 to August 16 (186 plate appearances), he hit .195/.242/.397 with a 74 wRC+, a 5.9 BB% and a 37.1 K%.
However, from August 18 until the end of the season (175 plate appearances), he hit .274/.349/.510 with eight homers, four steals, a 140 wRC+, a 9.7 BB% and a 32.6 K%.
Steady improvement right there.
A Pirates legend is ready to see him reach the upper-echelon of MLB players this year.
Cutch is ready for the Cruz show. pic.twitter.com/V7vaGe7S0k
— MLB (@MLB) January 23, 2023
Cutch is right: Cruz has everybody at the edge of their seats with his performance.
Even if he makes an out, he is prone to making MLB history of some kind in every at-bat.
He is such a breathtaking talent, and we are lucky to see him blossom into a legitimate major leaguer.
Will he become a true star this year?
We are all eager to find out if he can.
He certainly has every tool to achieve whatever he wants in MLB.
He just needs to work hard and be consistent.
NEXT: The Pirates Welcome Andrew McCutchen Home