Andrew McCutchen sends subtle Oneil Cruz warning to rest of MLB

The Pittsburgh Pirates endured another tough season in 2024, missing the playoffs for the ninth consecutive year.

However, there are signs of hope in Pittsburgh, with young talent emerging as potential cornerstones of the franchise.

Paul Skenes made his long-awaited MLB debut and lived up to the hype, securing the NL Rookie of the Year award. And if you ask veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen, Oneil Cruz is next in line for stardom.

McCutchen didn’t hold back in his praise for Cruz, comparing the young shortstop’s unique skill set to none other than Shohei Ohtani.

“[Ohtani] does things that make people say, ‘I’ve never seen that done,’” McCutchen said, via MLB’s official account on X. “[Cruz] does the same stuff, stuff you’ve never seen… He has no ceiling.”

It’s a bold claim from McCutchen, but not entirely unwarranted. Cruz, standing at 6’7″, has showcased a rare combination of power, speed, and defensive ability—traits that have often left fans and analysts in awe. While injuries have slowed his development, the potential is undeniable.

Comparing Cruz to a generational talent like Ohtani is a lofty statement, but if he can stay healthy and put it all together, the Pirates might just have their next superstar in the making.

Do the Pirates have baseball’s next big thing in Oneil Cruz?

At 6’7” and 240 pounds, Oneil Cruz is an undeniable athletic specimen. His raw power is one of his most exciting attributes, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping to fully unlock it as he enters his prime.

Cruz certainly showed promise at the plate last season, finishing with 21 home runs, 34 doubles, and 76 RBIs while posting a .773 OPS and an OPS+ of 113 over 146 games.

While those offensive numbers were encouraging, his struggles in the field were impossible to ignore.

Defensively, Cruz had a rough 2024 campaign. He committed 26 errors second-most in all of MLB and ranked poorly across multiple defensive metrics.

He was 155th in outs above average and 103rd in ultimate zone rating (UZR) as a shortstop. Simply put, his defense at the position was a liability.

Recognizing the need for a change, the Pirates decided to shift Cruz away from shortstop while keeping his bat in the lineup.

The solution? A move to center field. Despite having no prior experience at the position, Cruz held his own in 23 games in the outfield. His teammates have already noticed improvements this spring, and early results have been promising.

Most importantly for the Pirates, Cruz’s bat has remained as dangerous as ever. Through six spring training games, he’s boasting a .643 slugging percentage and a 1.011 OPS, showing that his offensive game is still on the rise.

If he can continue refining his defense in center field while maintaining his power at the plate, the Pirates may have found the perfect role for one of their most electrifying players.