LAKELAND, Fla. — When Oneil Cruz was promoted to the major leagues last season, he essentially put Statcast on notice, warning that “whatever is going to get broken is going to get broken.”
In a rookie season that saw Cruz mature as a hitter over the final month, he did indeed set MLB’s stat-tracking software ablaze, registering the highest exit velocity for a batted ball in the Statcast Era and delivering the hardest-thrown assist for an infielder.
For an encore, Cruz seemed to indicate earlier this spring that his goals or sights have shifted. He wants to hit 30 home runs and collect 30 steals in the same season. Maybe 40-40, too. They’re lofty, sure, but Cruz certainly delivered on his Statcast promise last season.
