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Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Underrated Pitchers to Watch
By Marty Leap
Left-handed pitcher Omar Cruz
The Pittsburgh Pirates a queried Omar Cruz in the Joe Msugrove trade this past offseason. Cruz started the season with High-A Greensboro and has since been promoted to Double-A Altoona. At both levels, Cruz has pitched well this season.
Cruz posted a 3.45 ERA, 4.71 FIP, 11.9% walk rate, 32.2% strikeout rate and a home run rate of 1.26 HR/9 in 28.2 innings pitched across 7 innings at High-A this season. With Double-A Altoona, Cruz posted a 3.41 ERA, 4.27 FIP, 7.4% walk rate, 18.45 strikeout rate and a home run rate of 0.74 HR/9. While Cruz’s strikeouts have dropped at the Double-A level, his walk and home run rates have both improved.
With a strong month o September Cruz could set himself up to start the 2022 season with Triple-A Indianapolis. At worst, he should once again be with Double-A Altoona to start the season with a promotion to Triple-A looming.
This offseason Cruz is Rule 5 Draft eligible. He appears to be a slam dunk to be added to the 40-man roster of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Assuming this happens, with a strong start to the 2022 season Cruz should be set up to make his MLB debut at some point during the season.