Dominican · Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic · Born 7 January 2000Dominican professional baseball shortstop known for his exceptional height, powerful arm strength, and record-breaking exit velocities in Major League Baseball.
Oneil Cruz is the Pittsburgh Pirates' extraordinary shortstop, at 6-foot-7 the tallest shortstop in major league history. His combination of elite bat speed, exceptional power for the position, and improving defence have produced some of baseball's most spectacular plays. Despite injury challenges, his natural gifts and unique physical profile make him one of the game's most fascinating players. Cruz has recorded some of the hardest-hit balls and fastest sprint speeds tracked by MLB's Statcast system since his debut, a rare combination of size, power and athleticism for a shortstop, and continued developing into one of Pittsburgh's most exciting young building blocks.
Exceptional height for shortstop position and powerful arm strength
How They Played
Power-hitting shortstop with strong defensive arm and impressive range
Lasting Impact
Tallest shortstop in MLB history at 6'7"
Career Honours
- 2025 NL Stolen Base Leader (38 SB)
- 2026 World Baseball Classic Bronze Medal – Dominican Republic
| Team | Period | Fee | Games | Jersey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 2021–2024 | — | — | #15 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers (DSL/MiLB) | 2015–2017 | $950,000 signing bonus | — | — |
Dominican Athletes