CF - Pittsburgh Pirates
- Age 27
- Bats: L
- Throws: R
2026 Outlook
- Draft Rank (ECR)
- H #62
- Best / Worst
- #53 / #86
- ADP
- #92
Eligibility
- Yahoo
- CF
- ESPN
- CF
- CBS
- CF
Availability
Oneil Cruz followed up his 2024 breakout (21 HR, 22 SB, .773 OPS, 114 OPS+) with a steep regression in 2025, batting just .200 with an 87 OPS+ despite swiping a career-high 38 bases. The underlying power metrics remain loud — his 95.8 mph average exit velocity and 56.9% hard-hit rate were both elite and actually improved year over year — but a .262 BABIP and persistent 32.0% strikeout rate cratered his overall production. While his 11.8% walk rate was a career best, the contact issues and declining run production (RE24: -5.45) highlight the volatility in his profile. Looking ahead, Cruz's 2026 projections suggest a rebound toward his 2024 form, banking on normalization in batting average with continued 20/30 upside. If the BABIP corrects even partially, his rare combination of top-of-scale power and speed makes him a prime fantasy rebound candidate with high-variance upside — but managers must build around the batting average risk.
