In observing Oneil Cruz's first five spring games before leaving for the World Baseball Classic, Don Kelly could see him reaping the benefits of the work he did over the offseason. 

There's one thing in particular, something a returning Cruz accomplished in his first at-bat in the Pirates' 10-2 loss to the Astros here today at LECOM Park, that has caught Kelly's attention, though. 

"The way he's been able to back the ball up and go the other way," Kelly said. "A lot of his hits were to left field, center field. He didn't pull too many until he hit the homer right before he left. And then I think the first home run he hit hasn't landed yet, from the WBC. And then the second one landed, but it got out in like two and a half seconds. Just the work that he put in in the offseason, especially to work on hitting against lefties, and then it's translated into a really good approach so far." 

The approach that has helped Cruz collect at least one hit in each game this spring carried over to a 3-for-5 showing in the WBC that included two homers, three walks drawn and zero strikeouts. Cruz has appeared more comfortable at the plate, aside from his two strikeouts today, and is hitting to all fields. 

In that aforementioned first at-bat here this afternoon, Cruz displayed a more aggressive approach in attacking a first-pitch fastball from Lance McCullers. He sent it the other way into left field with a 113.2 mph exit velocity for a leadoff single and then proceeded to steal second base. That's the formula Cruz needs to follow more often than not, especially if he's in the leadoff spot. Don't swing for the fences; look to make contact and simply make things happen when given the opportunity. 

"I feel very proud of what I did, just because I prepared myself during the offseason for spring training, and that event [WBC] in particular," Cruz said via interpreter and major-league coach Stephen Morales. "I surprised myself a little bit with all the things that I did in a short amount of at-bats and playing time. I feel proud of myself because of the way the WBC went and the way I did."