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Pirates Year in Review 2026: Looking Back at Oneil Cruz's Season
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- Pirates Year in Review 2026: Looking Back at Oneil Cruz's Season
Pirates Year in Review 2026: Looking Back at Oneil Cruz's Season originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh . Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Oneil Cruz entered the 2026 season looking to build on his potential as one of the Pittsburgh Pirates ' most dynamic offensive players. After a difficult 2025 campaign, the center fielder took a significant step forward at the plate, showing off his power and speed while producing the best offensive numbers of his major league career.
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However, Cruz's season was interrupted by a left-hand injury that forced him to miss nearly two months. His return in August provided a reminder of what he can bring to Pittsburgh's lineup, and he finished the season with another 20-home-run, 30-stolen-base campaign.
At 28 years old, Cruz remains an important part of the Pirates' plans moving forward. His combination of power, speed and athleticism gives Pittsburgh a unique offensive weapon, particularly when he is healthy and producing consistently.
Here's a look back at Cruz's 2026 performance.
Pirates Year in Review 2026: Oneil Cruz
Cruz made significant progress at the plate in 2026 after struggling to find consistency the previous season. He raised his batting average from .200 in 2025 to .280 this year, while his OPS climbed from .676 to .854.
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In 97 games, Cruz recorded 103 hits, 20 home runs and 67 RBIs. He also stole 30 bases, continuing to demonstrate the combination of power and speed that makes him such a valuable player when he is in the lineup.
His season took a difficult turn in June, when non-displaced fractures in the fourth (ring finger) and fifth (pinkie) metacarpals of his left hand forced him onto the injured list. Cruz missed 58 games before Pittsburgh activated him from the 60-day injured list on Aug. 17.
Cruz wasted little time making an impact after returning. He hit a two-run home run in his first game back on Aug. 18, sending a 422-foot shot into the right-center-field seats against the Detroit Tigers.
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He continued to produce down the stretch, hitting .342 with a .429 on-base percentage and a .494 slugging percentage across 22 games in September. Cruz finished the season with 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases, marking his third consecutive 20-20 season.
Oneil Cruz's Most Memorable Moment
Cruz's return from injury provided one of the most memorable moments of his season.
After missing nearly two months with a fractured left hand, Cruz returned to the active roster in August. His first game back was a reminder of the power that makes him such an intriguing part of Pittsburgh's lineup.
On Aug. 18, Cruz faced Tigers starter Keider Montero at PNC Park. In the fifth inning, he turned on a 2-2 knuckle curve and launched a two-run home run into the right-center-field seats. The ball traveled a Statcast-projected 422 feet with an exit velocity of 107.7 mph.
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The home run broke up Montero's no-hitter and helped spark a three-run inning for Pittsburgh. It also gave the Pirates the lead in a game they ultimately won 4-1.
Cruz's return was about more than one swing. After a lengthy absence, he immediately showed that his power remained intact and that he could still change a game with one at-bat.
Oneil Cruz's Stats for 2026 Season
| Games |
Hits |
Runs |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBIs |
BB |
SO |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
OPS |
WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97 |
103 |
65 |
14 |
1 |
20 |
67 |
47 |
139 |
30 |
.280 |
.368 |
.486 |
.854 |
2.8 |
Cruz's 2026 season represented a meaningful improvement from his previous campaign. His .280 batting average, .368 on-base percentage and .854 OPS reflected a much more productive offensive year, while his 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases highlighted his ability to contribute in multiple ways.
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The biggest challenge was staying on the field. Cruz's hand injury limited him to 97 games, making his production even more notable given the time he missed. His strong September also showed that he could regain his rhythm after an extended absence.
