Pirates' Oneil Cruz finds power in his kryptonite

The young slugger is turning his weakness into a strength for Pittsburgh.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:42am

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Oneil Cruz, the star shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has been working to transform his biggest weakness - strikeouts - into a surprising new superpower. After struggling with high strikeout rates early in his career, Cruz has made adjustments at the plate that have allowed him to tap into his immense raw power while also making more consistent contact.

Why it matters

Cruz is considered one of the most exciting young talents in baseball, with a rare combination of size, speed, and power. If he can continue to improve his plate discipline and cut down on strikeouts, he has the potential to become an elite, MVP-caliber player who can carry the Pirates back to the playoffs.

The details

After fanning in over 30% of his plate appearances in his first two MLB seasons, Cruz has worked closely with Pirates hitting coaches to refine his swing mechanics and approach. He's now making more contact while still maintaining his power, hitting for a higher average and on-base percentage. This development could be a game-changer for the Pirates as they look to build around their young superstar.

  • Cruz made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2024.
  • In 2025, he struck out in over 35% of his plate appearances.
  • This offseason, Cruz worked extensively on his swing and approach.

The players

Oneil Cruz

The star shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates, known for his rare combination of size, speed, and power.

Cade Povich

A left-handed pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles who has had success getting Cruz to swing and miss.

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What they’re saying

“Oneil has all the tools to be an MVP-caliber player, we just needed to help him harness that power while also making more consistent contact.”

— Pirates Hitting Coach

“When Oneil is on, he's one of the most dangerous hitters in the game. We have to be really careful with our approach against him.”

— Cade Povich, Orioles Pitcher

What’s next

If Cruz can continue to improve his plate discipline, he could cement his status as one of the game's elite young players and help lead the Pirates back to the playoffs.

The takeaway

Oneil Cruz's development is a testament to the power of hard work and adaptability. By turning his biggest weakness into a strength, he has the potential to become a true superstar and transform the fortunes of the Pittsburgh Pirates.