Pittsburgh Pirates Strategically Shift Oneil Cruz to Center Field
In a surprising but decisive move, the Pittsburgh Pirates have announced that their 25-year-old infielder, Oneil Cruz, will transition from shortstop to center field. Pirates manager Derek Shelton confirmed the decision, a significant change for a player who has never taken on this role at any professional level before.
Known for his towering presence and raw athletic abilities, Cruz's season has been a mixed bag of impressive offensive stats and defensive mishaps. With a batting line of .265/.324/.468 and an OPS+ of 120, he has compiled 29 doubles, three triples, 18 home runs, 63 RBIs, 57 runs, and 17 steals, culminating in a 2.5 WAR this season. Despite these accomplishments, his defensive reliability at shortstop has come into question. He has committed 24 errors, half of which have occurred since July 21, contributing to his mixed defensive record according to various statistical metrics.
Cruz’s shift to center field is partly influenced by the Pirates' recent overall performance. Having essentially fallen out of the playoff race following a 10-game losing streak earlier this month, the team has been in a phase of experimentation. Winning four of their last six games, the Pirates have sought to leverage their remaining opportunities by optimizing player positions. Cruz's transition is seen as a move to capitalize on his arm strength and athleticism.
"Cruz will remain a center fielder for the foreseeable future," Shelton stated, emphasizing the organization's commitment to this new direction. This assertion underscores the strategic importance of the move, especially given Cruz’s untested potential in the outfield. Although his experience in the outfield is minimal—80 innings in Triple-A left field and one inning in the majors—the Pirates believe his physical attributes will translate effectively to center field duties.
Cruz’s journey this season has also been marred by injuries. He notably broke his leg in April 2022 during a collision at home plate with Seby Zavala, an incident that shelved his potential for the rest of the season. "Cruz's season-ending injury last season was a factor in the decision,” Shelton noted, indicating that Cruz’s health and safety were significant considerations in the move to a less demanding defensive position.
Moreover, the Pirates' decision may have been influenced by other players’ injuries. For instance, Nick Gonzales suffered a groin injury in late July, limiting the team’s options and prompting innovative changes in their roster lineup. During this period, Cruz had primarily been listed as the designated hitter, gaining him some respite from the rigors of playing shortstop.
The Pirates are clearly looking toward the future with this strategic shift. Although center field presents a new set of challenges for Cruz, the management is optimistic about leveraging his potential. Given the Pirates’ current standings and the need to rebuild, this experimentation could pave the way for maximizing player effectiveness across the field.
Cruz's move to center field will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike. While the success of this transition remains to be seen, it represents a bold attempt by the Pirates to find innovative solutions amidst the challenges of the ongoing season. For Cruz, this is a pivotal moment to showcase his versatility and fortify his standing as a cornerstone of the Pirates' future.