Welcome to In The System, our new daily analysis of the latest throughout the Pirates' organization!
Each morning, we'll spotlight an individual player or performance from the previous day/night, in addition to offering convenient links to find all the information anyone could want on Class AAA Indianapolis, Class AA Altoona, high Class A Greensboro and low Class A Bradenton throughout the season.
Player: Oneil Cruz
Position: Shortstop
Bats/throws: Left/right
Age: 22
Size: 6-7, 210 pounds
MLB organizational rank: 3rd
Affiliate: Altoona
Before even getting into the uncertainty surrounding his future on defense, Cruz first has to prove he can hit Class AA pitching. It hasn't been the easiest time for him after the delayed start to the season, but he had a bit of a breakout Thursday. He clubbed his first homer in more than two weeks on a three-run shot in the fifth inning for Altoona. Cruz also singled and struck out twice and improved to .239/.299/.437 on the season.
Cruz had a tough spring with the big-league club but on occasion showed how much the ball just jumps off his bat. He hasn't tapped into his power much in what's been a short and disjointed professional career. But his body type and athleticism, which Rick Eckstein compared to Michael Jordan, who is actually an inch short than Cruz, provide a lot with which to be excited.
Considering he's a quite a few inches taller than the average shortstop, there are questions about his future defensive position. It seems like right field might be a worthwhile possibility. But the club has insisted on working him at shortstop. And his eight errors at the position are the most among anybody in the Class AA Northeast division, and only the second-most among all minor leaguers.
ELSEWHERE
• It's been an inauspicious start in low Class A Bradenton for Eddy Yean, whom the Pirates acquired from the Nationals in the Josh Bell deal. Most of his now 8.49 ERA was tied up in two starts during which he allowed 10 earned runs in 2 2/3 total innings. He took a step in the right direction Thursday having allowed a run on three hits over four innings with a pair of walks and three strikeouts.
• With a number of injuries, even at the prospect level, there are real opportunities for outfielders in the upper levels of the Pirates' system to earn a spot through this early part of the season. Bligh Madris is among those that could realistically give himself a shot at the majors. On Thursday, he went 2-for-4 and bashed his first homer at the Class AAA level. The 25-year-old Madris is batting .286 so far for the Indians.
That ball had a FAMILY, @Bligh_Guy. 🥵 💥
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) May 28, 2021
What a way to notch your first career Triple-A home run. 👏 pic.twitter.com/jAlx6c2M9g
• On a day when the big-league team got all of its offense on homers, it turns out the long ball was popular at the lower levels as well. Endy Rodriguez, Yean's batterymate in Bradenton who came from the Mets after the Bucs spun off Joey Lucchesi in the Joe Musgrove deal, hit his fourth homer of the year and drew a walk Thursday. He's batting .288 with 13 RBIs this season.
OFFICIAL LINKS
• Affiliate scores
• Indianapolis
• Altoona
• Greensboro
• Bradenton
YOUR TURN: We'd love to hear from you, too, especially if you make it out to see any of these prospects and affiliates play. Feel free to file your own original scouting reports and other observations in comments.
