LUIS CRUZ

2/10/84; NDFA '00 (Boston); Mexico
R/R; 6-1, 185

Level
BA
OBP
SA
AB
2B
3B
HR
BB
K
SB
CS
2001 R (Bos)
.259
.285
.350
197
9
0
3
7
17
1
4
2002 A (Bos)
.188
.221
.277
202
7
1
3
9
30
0
2
2002 R (Bos)
.292
.329
.347
72
4
0
0
3
6
2
2
2003 A (SD)
.231
.279
.335
481
24
1
8
30
55
2
2
2004 A+ (SD)
.277
.310
.404
512
35
3
8
24
56
3
7
2005 AA (SD)
.159
.215
.245
151
2
1
3
9
31
0
1
2006 AA (SD)
.261
.301
.415
499
35
3
12
29
62
8
4
2007 AAA (SD)
.168
.216
.342
155
10
1
5
9
24
0
0
2007 AA (SD)
.252
.293
.345
238
10
0
4
13
20
3
0
2008 NL
.224
.278
.269
67
3
0
0
3
2
1
1
2008 AAA
.325
.347
.483
120
10
0
3
3
14
2
4
2008 AA
.264
.303
.381
375
24
1
6
19
34
3
3

Cruz was a very weak hitter his first few years, but started to show some progress in 2004 and 2006, apparently interrupted by injury in between.  The improvement didn't carry over to 2007, though, other than the fact that he still hit for modest power.  He became eligible for free agency for the first time after the 2007 season and signed with the Pirates, who'll need to sign a number of middle infielders as free agents to fill the near-void created by their lack of prospects.  Cruz opened the season as the regular SS at Altoona and impressed the Pirates with his glovework, although his bat remained a liability.  He got hot after a late-season promotion to Indianapolis, though, and the Pirates added him to the 40-man roster and called him up for September.  I'd prefer to think that the Pirates weren't taken in by his flukish hitting in AAA.  With Jack Wilson out for the month, Cruz initially shared the shortstop position with Brian Bixler, but Bixler's continued struggles led to Cruz getting the job full-time.  This scuttled a plan by the Pirates to get some playing time for Cruz at second, to prepare him for becoming a utility player.  Cruz didn't hit at all, although he wasn't as hopeless as Bixler.  He hardly struck or walked at all.  Defensively he showed good range and athleticism, but was scattershot with his throws.  He was still error-prone in the minors, committing 26, but he had only one in the majors.  He'll probably compete with Bixler for a utility role in 2009.

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