The Pittsburgh Pirates are making the much-anticipated promotion their fans have been awaiting by calling up their No. 1 prospect, Oneil Cruz, the 6-foot-7, 220-pound shortstop.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton confirmed after yesterday’s 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants that Cruz and outfielder Bligh Madris will be promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis in time for the four-game series against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park this week.
Cruz has a .233/.337/.424 slash line with seven doubles, three triples, nine home runs and 35 RBIs in 54 games at Indy this season. After a slow start to the season, Cruz’s numbers improved quickly. In 13 games this month he’s slashing .283/.364/500 with two doubles, one triple, two homers and eight RBIs.
Although Cruz prefers to play shortstop, he has played in the outfield at times this season. Cherington said the decision where to play him will be up to manager Derek Shelton and his staff. Shelton added that Cruz will play primarily at shortstop.