The Pittsburgh Pirates are optimistic about outfielder Oneil Cruz rebounding in 2026 after a challenging 2025 season marked by offensive struggles. Despite achieving another 20-20 season and defensive progress, Cruz's performance dipped, prompting focused offseason work on his swing and approach. Team leaders believe he can unlock his vast potential to become a consistent star.
Expectations for Oneil Cruz were elevated entering 2025, with the Pirates hoping he would build on his 2024 20-20 campaign while further recovering from a 2023 ankle injury. Positioned centrally in the lineup, Cruz instead contributed to one of the league's weakest offenses, posting an OPS of .676—a nearly 100-point decline from the prior year.
Defensively, he advanced in center field, but offensively, inconsistencies plagued him. Cruz struck out at a 32% rate, ranking in the bottom 2% of hitters, and whiffed 34% of the time, bottom 3%. He struggled particularly against breaking pitches, took more called strikes, and questioned his aggressive approach during the season. His elite bat speed, the highest in baseball, often led to late contact and insufficient pull-side power on fly balls.
Pirates manager Don Kelly highlighted the adjustment challenges in the majors during the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida. "[The] Major Leagues is tough as you start to go through those changes and teams adjust to you, being able to make the adjustment back," Kelly said. "And we're seeing Oneil go through that right now. He's having a great offseason. Looking forward to him having a really good year next year."
Cruz spent his offseason training in the Dominican Republic and the United States with team representatives, emphasizing swing decisions and plate approach, as noted by general manager Ben Cherington. "On the one hand, I don’t think there’s any kind of magic to it," Cherington remarked at the meetings. "It’s continuing to try and find the right relationships around him that can help him organize his day in the best possible way. When he does that, he can be the best player on the field."
The Pirates bolstered their lineup by acquiring infielder Brandon Lowe from the Tampa Bay Rays and signing left-handed hitter Ryan O'Hearn. Cruz remains the projected Opening Day center fielder, though prospect Jhostynxon Garcia, ranked No. 85 overall and major-league ready, provides outfield depth. Cherington stressed Cruz's untapped level: "Every player is different... Our job is to find a way to unlock that." This year is crucial for Cruz to deliver sustained production over a full season.
