The Pittsburgh Pirates are facing a critical decision regarding their error-prone shortstop, Oneil Cruz. Despite surpassing many of his rookie season’s offensive stats and being on the verge of tying a franchise record for home runs by a shortstop, Cruz’s defensive struggles have become a significant concern for the team.
Cruz, who leads the Pirates with 27 doubles and ranks among the top three in nearly every offensive category, has also racked up 24 errors this season—the second-most in Major League Baseball. His defensive lapses have only intensified since July 21, making his performance in the field a growing issue.
“Errors are going to happen. Some of them, I guess, I earn; some of them, it’s part of the game,” Cruz said through a translator. “There’s definitely things to improve, and I’m going to continue to work on it.”
Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington has publicly acknowledged the issue, emphasizing the need for Cruz to improve his defensive consistency if the Pirates are to reach their goals. “He knows and we know that he is capable of more defensively in order for the Pirates to win at the level we want to,” Cherington said. “We need a more steady performance defensively at short. He’s so talented, he’s working so hard, and we believe in him.”
Cruz’s offensive prowess, including 18 home runs in 110 games, has kept him in the lineup, but his defensive errors have raised questions about whether he can remain at shortstop long-term. Pirates first baseman Rowdy Tellez remains optimistic about Cruz’s potential, noting that many teams would overlook a few errors for a player with Cruz’s power.
However, the frequency of Cruz’s mistakes, particularly during a 10-game losing streak, has led to doubts among talent evaluators about his future at shortstop. Despite his impressive physical attributes and offensive capabilities, some believe Cruz might be better suited for a position with less defensive pressure, such as the outfield.
The Pirates have experimented with Cruz in the outfield before, but the shortstop remains committed to his position on the infield. “I see myself as a shortstop. That’s the position I’ve played all my life,” Cruz said. “I feel like I’ve been improving a lot at the position.”
As the season progresses, the Pirates will need to decide whether Cruz’s defensive struggles can be overcome or if a position change is necessary for both his and the team’s success. For now, the team is standing by Cruz, but the pressure is on for him to prove he can handle the responsibilities of being a major league shortstop.
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