Position: OF
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 160 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/L
Born: 11/24/2003
Country: Dominican Republic
How Acquired: International Free Agent, 2021
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2025
Minor League Free Agency: 2027
Options Left: 3
Overview
The Pirates signed De La Cruz as a projectible outfielder who’d need to get stronger. He may or may not be able to stick in center and has a fringy arm. He’s shown some power and draws a lot of walks, but strikes out at an alarming rate and generally just hasn’t hit so far.
2021-23
Playing all three outfield positions in his debut, De La Cruz drew a ton of walks but struggled to hit. He fanned in nearly half his ABs. Back in the DSL in 2022, De La Cruz continued to draw walks and showed a little more power, but didn’t make any progress with the extreme swing-and-miss. He again played all three outfield positions, but played in right the most. In 2023 the Pirates sent him back for a third DSL season. He got only limited playing time, going just 4-for-33, with 16 strikeouts.
Stats
Transactions
January 15, 2021: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.