Omar Cruz

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #23 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: The Padres purchased Cruz’s rights from the Mexican League’s Mexico City franchise for $100,000 in 2017, the same club they purchased Luis Urias and Andres Muñoz from in previous years. Cruz dominated the short-season levels and jumped for high Class A Fort Wayne in 2019, where he posted a 2.76 ERA in 10 starts. He continued to shine during 2020 instructional league and was acquired by the Pirates after the season as part of the Joe Musgrove trade.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Cruz’s fastball has improved to 89-93 mph with room to keep growing. His fastball plays up with carry through the zone and gets swings and misses despite modest velocity. Cruz’s primary weapon is a big, overhand curveball with a high arc. It can get loopy at times at 73-77 mph, but he shows an impressive feel to spin the ball and should add power to it as he gets stronger. His fading 78-82 mph changeup shows average potential and he attacks the strike zone with average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Cruz shows the makings of the back-of-the-rotation starter if he can continue adding velocity. He’s a strong competitor who has a chance to move quickly in 2021.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Padres purchased Cruz’s rights from the Mexican League’s Mexico City franchise for $100,000 in 2017, the same club they purchased Luis Urias and Andres Muñoz from in previous years. Cruz dominated the short-season levels and jumped for high Class A Fort Wayne in 2019, where he posted a 2.76 ERA in 10 starts. He continued to shine during 2020 instructional league and was acquired by the Pirates after the season as part of the Joe Musgrove trade.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Cruz’s fastball has improved to 89-93 mph with room to keep growing. His fastball plays up with carry through the zone and gets swings and misses despite modest velocity. Cruz’s primary weapon is a big, overhand curveball with a high arc. It can get loopy at times at 73-77 mph, but he shows an impressive feel to spin the ball and should add power to it as he gets stronger. His fading 78-82 mph changeup shows average potential and he attacks the strike zone with average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Cruz shows the makings of the back-of-the-rotation starter if he can continue adding velocity. He’s a strong competitor who has a chance to move quickly in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Padres purchased Cruz’s rights from the Mexican League’s Mexico City franchise for $100,000 in 2017, the same club they purchased Luis Urias and Andres Muñoz from in previous years. Cruz dominated the short-season levels and jumped for high Class A Fort Wayne in 2019, where he posted a 2.76 ERA in 10 starts. He continued to shine during 2020 instructional league and was acquired by the Pirates after the season as part of the Joe Musgrove trade.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Cruz’s fastball has improved to 89-93 mph with room to keep growing. His fastball plays up with carry through the zone and gets swings and misses despite modest velocity. Cruz’s primary weapon is a big, overhand curveball with a high arc. It can get loopy at times at 73-77 mph, but he shows an impressive feel to spin the ball and should add power to it as he gets stronger. His fading 78-82 mph changeup shows average potential and he attacks the strike zone with average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Cruz shows the makings of the back-of-the-rotation starter if he can continue adding velocity. He’s a strong competitor who has a chance to move quickly in 2021.