Saul de la Cruz

WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE

2015-16
INJURED

De La Cruz missed both seasons as a result of Tommy John surgery.

2017
DSL:  1-0-0, 3.50 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 36.0 IP, 5.5 BB/9, 8.8 K/9

De La Cruz pitched mainly in relief, often in two-inning stints.  Opponents batted only .209 against him and he had a good K rate, but he had some trouble with walks.  He also had trouble with left-handed batters, who hit 286/423/357 off him.  Right-handed batters managed only 157/255/301, but the splits may not mean a lot at this stage.

2018
R:  2-2-2, 5.24 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 22.1 IP, 5.6 BB/9, 12.9 K/9

The Pirates used De La Cruz in relief in the GCL.  He struck out a lot of hitters, but obviously had control problems.

2019
R:  0-1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, 10.0 IP, 0.9 BB/9, 9.9 K/9
R+:  1-0-0, 1.88 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 14.1 IP, 3.1 BB/9, 12.6 K/9

The Pirates sent De La Cruz back to the GCL, where he was much more effective than the previous year.  After seven games they promoted him to Bristol and he continued to pitch very well, missing a lot of bats and holding opponents to a .157 average.

De La Cruz made a great deal of progress in 2019.  He’s eligible for the Rule 5 draft now, but isn’t likely to be added to the roster or selected.  Hopefully, he’ll make it to full season ball in 2020.