Jose Cruz RHP. DOB: 5/18/2000. 6'1", 178 lbs. IFA 2017.
2022(A): 2-1, 2.06, 52.1 IP, 14.79 K/9, 3.96 BB/9, 6 Saves.
The Giants had long list of prospects who were Rule 5 Draft eligible. They lost, what, 8 of them in the draft? They protected Jose Cruz. That tells you something right there. He's taken his time working his way out of complex ball into a full season league, but that patience may finally be paying off. Impressive in spring training he went to San Jose and dominated in a relief role averaging a little over an inning per appearance.
On video, he looks taller than his listed 6'1" and had long limbs to boot. Loose arm action generates 95-98 MPH on the FB. His main secondary pitch is a devastating changeup that dives and fades from LH batters. I could swear he also has a sharp slider but Fangraphs does not list it in their scouting report and I didn't see one on the only video I found on the Youtube.
Now that he is safely on the 40-man roster, the Giants can use 3 option years to polish him up. It also gives him a leg up on a potential midseason call up to Oracle Park.
Just a random thought - the overall opinion of the Giants minor league system was regression last season. I think most scouting experts and the like gave them a declining review. Yet they had 8 players picked in the major league and minor league rule 5 drafts. Perhaps that thought about the system taking a step back is a little overblown. I look forward to what Pete Putila brings to the development system.
ReplyDeleteWell, there were some spectacular failures and some worrisome developments like Luciano's injury and Matos struggling. I think that maybe led to some analysts overlooking quite a few positive developments. Hopefully we can see some of those positives as we work our way through DrB's 2023 Giants Top 50 Prospects list.
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