O’Neil Cruz’s strong WBC performance is a good sign for the 2026 season
· Yahoo Sports
The regular season is right around the corner and it is a crucial year for Pittsburgh Pirates Center fielder Oneil Cruz. We just saw Cruz participate in the World Baseball Classic where he played very well. Could this be a sign that the 2026 MLB season will be the best of his carrer ?
Cruz played for the Dominican Republic and helped them reach the semifinals, where they lost in a close battle with Team USA at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, on March 15. He only played in four games, but he did have some really good moments, giving pride to his countrymen and also for Pirates fans hoping to see more from him this season.
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Cruz had a fantastic start for Team Dominican Republic, coming off the bench vs. Team Nicaragua in their first Pool Play game at loanDepot Park on March 6, a 12-3 win.
The lefty destroyed a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, smashing a 91.4 mph four-seam fastball 116.4 mph off the bat and sending it 450 feet with a 28-degree launch angle.
Cruz got his only start of the tournament in their 10-1 win over Team Israel on March 9 in center field and put on a great performance, with two hits, two walks and an RBI.
He also crushed a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning in that same game, sending it 115.8 mph off the bat and 400 feet into the right field to give his nation a 6-0 lead. Later in the game he added a double in the top of the seventh inning.
Cruz would make two appearances off the bench in the knockout stages, with his last at-bat the most important.
He flew out and had a walk in the 10-0 win over Team Korea in the quarterfinals on March 13, but then All-Star faced right-handed pitcher Mason Miller in the bottom of the ninth inning vs. Team USA in the semifinals. Cruz ended up grounding out in that game but it was still a very promising performance for the 27 year old.
He finished his WBC with a slash line of .600/.750/2.000 for an OPS of 2.750 in four games, with three hits in five at-bats, two home runs, four RBI, four runs scored, a double and three walks with no strikeouts.
What we just saw from Cruz should really excite fans in Pittsburgh. We have always seen the power from Cruz but he has always struggled with strikeouts but if he can put it together he will be a prime jewel to the offense.
Cruz has also focused on improving his strength and facing left-handed pitching, while also addressing defensive inefficiencies in center field. He worked with four-time Gold Glove Award winner Kevin Kiermaier this offseason.
With added help in the lineup in the likes of Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna, Cruz can focus on doing what the Pirates need, which is to show power and just get on base, using his speed to bring in runs.
His performance over those four games in the WBC showed that his offseason work is already paying off and if he can play like that and have his heart in the game we will be looking at 2026 being his best season yet.