The biggest shake-up for the Pittsburgh Pirates involves sending their star from shortstop out into center field. The move as announced by manager Derek Shelton and general manager Ben Cherington, will tell a lot about what this team is doing not only for the rest of 2024 but beyond. Cruz’s position shift does indeed come after a difficult tenure at the shortstop position, but this is a position the Pittsburgh Pirates also feel he might be very well-suited for. So let us dive in to figure out why this move was made and what this says about Cruz and the team moving forward.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Changing Position
First seen as a once-in-a-decade talent at shortstop with a very good combination of size and skill set, Oneil Cruz has had mixed results thus far. With 24 errors committed this season— 12 fielding and 12 throwing errors—the defensive issues were getting to a point. Adding an -3 Outs Above Average statistic even brought up more fielding concerns in his performance.
Cruz has had a tough time at the shortstop position since he went down with a serious injury. He fractured his left ankle in April of 2023 and spent a pretty good amount of time working back to health. Though he has put in extra reps to try to get better, the Pittsburgh Pirates thought it was time to change it up. The decision partly had something to do with Cruz and the optimization of where he plays.
The shift to center field is a move to maximize Cruz’s skills. Cherington says the center field presents an opportunity for Cruz to be the best version of himself and for the team to maximize his value. Cruz has some outfield time, but it’s very limited. He played one inning in left field last season and a bit in center field during spring training in 2021.
Training for the Switch
Cruz will begin the next few days with team coaches training for his position change. This will mean a concentration on defensive drills and becoming accustomed to outfield play. Hopefully, this adjustment will help Cruz settle into his new position a little more easily. The coaching staff believes that eventually Cruz’s speed and strong arm will make him a very worthy center fielder.
The Pittsburgh Pirates activated Nick Gonzales off the injured list and slotted him into the lineup by moving Isiah Kiner-Falefa to short; the move freed up a center-field spot for Cruz. Off the dirt, Cruz allows the team to slide players around into more favorable positions for the roster’s most valuable use. Also, it takes them away from players that are struggling in a particular position.
Looking Ahead
This shift from short to center is neither new nor strange. Think of the Padres’ Jackson Merrill, among many others like Michael A. Taylor. His speed plus defense will enable Cruz to thrive in this very position and make him especially valuable for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The shift of Oneil Cruz to center field presents a major adjustment for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The decision was based essentially on the relevance of Cruz to deteriorating performance and minor health concerns but also on the new opportunity that arose for Cruz. As Cruz settles in, he and the Pittsburgh Pirates are more optimistic, hoping this decision will translate into success and improved performance in the field. Fans can watch as Cruz attempts to adapt himself and notice what that means in the way of prosperity for the Pirates.
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