Pirates' Oneil Cruz is challenging himself early in Spring Training

Oneil Cruz reported to Pirate City in Bradenton for early Spring Training and has been intentionally facing left-handed pitchers after a difficult 2025 season.

Oneil Cruz reported to Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla., for the start of position-player reporting at Spring Training and has been intentionally working on hitting against left-handed pitchers. The move follows a difficult 2025 season at the plate and ongoing work this winter on outfield defense. Cruz has been facing southpaw reliever Mason Montgomery and has been working with coaches and teammates on both hitting and fielding drills. Key details: - Pirates manager Don Kelly said Cruz asked to face left-handed pitching and has been working hard in the offseason to improve. - Cruz is a left-handed batter who struggled against left-handers in 2025, hitting .102/.224/.176 with an OPS of .400, recording 11 hits in 108 at-bats and 44 strikeouts to 16 walks. - In 2024 Cruz had better results vs. southpaws, hitting .224/.266/.420 vs. left-handed pitching, per the article's comparison. - Cruz compiled 20 home runs and 38 stolen bases in 2025, tying for the National League lead in steals, while also finishing as one of the lower-ranked qualified hitters overall, according to the report. - He worked this winter with four-time Gold Glove winner Kevin Kiermaier on drills to aid his transition from shortstop to center field; the article notes he finished 2025 with -14 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and -11 defensive runs saved above average, marks among the lowest for qualified center fielders per FanGraphs. Summary: Cruz has begun targeted work at Spring Training, focusing on left-handed pitching and on improving his play in center field. He will continue those efforts through Spring Training; outcomes and longer-term effects on his season are undetermined at this time.