Platinum glove defender says Oneil Cruz is closer in center field than critics realize

Oneil Cruz is a tool shed. From his six-foot-seven, 240-pound frame to his impressive exit velocities to his otherworldly athleticism, the Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder might just be the most physically gifted in the game.

He could be a game-changing force that revolutionizes the league. Instead, he's struggled offensively and floundered defensively, especially after moving from shortstop to center field.

The offensive struggles are easier to understand. He has long levers that can be exploited. Athleticism is important when it comes to hitting, but what's even more important are mechanics, approach, and the mental aspect of things.

Defense, though? A giant like Cruz, who possesses 100th percentile arm strength and 93rd percentile sprint speed, should dominate on the strength of his biological gifts alone. Instead, the 27-year-old has struggled, posting zero outs above average and minus-14 defensive runs saved in 2025.

To his credit, Cruz hasn't been dormant this offseason, simply hoping for an improvement. Instead, he's enlisted the help of Platinum Glove winner Kevin Kiermaier to help transform him into a defensive monster in 2026.

Kevin Kiermaier provides interesting insight into how he's helping Pirates star Oneil Cruz transform into an impact defender in center field

Kiermaier appeared on MLB Network and dished on his work with Cruz this offseason. The long-time defensive stalwart had some interesting takeaways about what it takes to be a stellar defender and what Cruz has to work on in order to ascend to elite status with the glove.

First, Kiermaier talked about the need to push oneself just as hard in practice as one would in live game action. He spoke about never being able to do unthinkable things in a game if you aren't regularly doing those same things while training. He spoke specifically about Cruz and the work they've been doing.

"There's so much attention to detail when it comes to sit here and try to play elite defense," Kiermaier said. "And I was always the guy, like I'm doing things that other guys can't do, or I'm going to do this and that because it needs to be there. Pre-pitch recognition, being ready for 130 or 140 pitches a game, and being ready to be locked in to get the best jump, the best ready on every ball.

"Holding yourself to that standard is what allowed me to be so good, but for other guys, too, it's like, hey, if you sit here and focus and have that mental intensity, saying I'm gonna be locked in for everything, the results and the performance will follow that."

Kiermaier spoke a lot about preparation before the action happens, as well as mindset. That kind of stuff certainly seems to matter to a player like Cruz, who feeds off of vibes. Learning how to mentally create that environment from a man who thrived doing that for himself and used it to propel himself to success is important.

Asked about the transition from the infield to the outfield, a process important to a former shortstop like Cruz, Kiermaier said, "If we can sit here and train our eyes and the depth perception and get these reads and let our instincts and our athletic ability take over than that's what outfield is. I'm not out there thinking, it's just I'm doing what the ball tells me and where my body is telling me to go, and it's just preparing and training properly to, once again, maximize our potential."

Preparation and mental outlook are hallmarks of Kiermaier's approach, and that should not only resonate with Cruz, but adapting the same principles could help him break through in the batter's box as well.

It will be interesting to see how these training sessions translate with the uber-talented outfielder once the Pirates arrive in Bradenton and he gets some work in on the field. Until then, we can only hope the tutelage of one of the best defensive center fielders in recent memory can unlock the stardom within Cruz.