The Pirates sit 51-69 and last in the NL Central, staring at a playoff drought that could reach a full decade while posting the league’s weakest offense at 3.6 runs per game. Oneil Cruz remains Pittsburgh’s breakout speed/power weapon, but his performance has cooled this season. Through 107 games, Cruz is batting .207 with a .702 OPS, the nadir of his career, yet he still tops the NL with 34 stolen bases and 18 homers. His value for fantasy leaguers hinges on health and the continued ability to use his elite athleticism on the bases.
Tuesday’s series opener vs Milwaukee featured a scare: Cruz left after a collision with Jack Suwinski, triggering an evaluation for a head injury. Suwinski shifted to center, with Tommy Pham stepping in at left. If Cruz misses time, Pittsburgh’s lineup could tighten further around core performers, and the Pirates will have to lean on others to supplement a fragile offense. Cruz’s health is a top priority given the team control window of three more seasons and the looming 2029 free agency.
Durability concerns shadow Cruz’s ceiling, as he has yet to log a fully healthy season in five years and played just nine games in 2023. The Pirates’ patient approach to his health will shape lineup decisions and rest days, especially with a bottom-tier offense trying to climb back into relevance. For fantasy managers, Cruz’s absence would magnify value for speedsters elsewhere, while his return would re-inject multi-category upside into a lineup that sorely needs it.
Overall, Cruz remains a focal point for Pittsburgh’s short- and long-term plans. The club will protect him and monitor head-injury risk while hoping his power and blazing speed can translate into a meaningful surge as the season winds down. If healthy, Cruz can still anchor a dynamic mix of stolen bases and power, but health is the X-factor in determining how far the Pirates can push their rebuilding arc.
