Pirates Believe Oneil Cruz Can Become Superstar

The 26-year-old outfielder has immense talent but has yet to put it all together consistently.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Oneil Cruz, the Pittsburgh Pirates' young outfielder, has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency in his MLB career so far. The Pirates are hoping Cruz can tap into his immense potential and develop into a superstar player, which would be a major boost to the team's lineup after they made several offseason upgrades.

Why it matters

Cruz's development is crucial for the Pirates, who are hoping to build a contending team around their talented young core. If Cruz can harness his tools and become an elite player, it would elevate the entire Pirates roster and make them a legitimate threat in the NL Central.

The details

In 2025, Cruz's production dipped as his OPS dropped from .773 to .676 and his expected batting average fell from .259 to .218. However, he still displays elite tools, including power, speed, and a strong arm. The Pirates are optimistic that Cruz can bounce back in 2026 and fulfill his superstar potential.

  • In the 2024 season, Cruz had an OPS of .773.
  • In the 2025 season, Cruz's OPS dropped to .676.

The players

Oneil Cruz

A 26-year-old outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates who has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency in his MLB career so far.

Alden Gonzalez

An ESPN writer who named Cruz as the player he's watching most closely this spring for the Pirates.

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What they’re saying

“Cruz had a productive offseason, and the Pirates are hoping there's still a superstar in there somewhere.”

— Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Writer (ESPN)

The takeaway

The Pirates are banking on Oneil Cruz's immense potential to help them build a contending team, but he will need to find more consistency at the plate in order to reach superstar status and elevate the entire roster.