CINCINNATI — Reds starter Brady Singer missed his target on the inner-third of the plate and left it outside. Oneil Cruz went with the pitch, launched it to left and … relief. After being stuck on 19 home runs for most of September, that blast, No. 20, clinched another 20-homer, 20-stolen base season.
“For him to get No. 20, that’s always a tough one that you want to get out of the way when you get to 19,” manager Don Kelly said. “He’s been having better at-bats, better energy, running the bases well, playing good defense. Really happy and proud of him the way that he’s responded.”
It’s rarified air for a Pirate to accomplish the feat twice, joining an exclusive club that includes Barry Bonds (who did it four times), Andrew McCutchen (three), Dave Parker, Starling Marte and Andy Van Slyke, who all did it twice. Of that group, Bonds is the only one who stole at least as many bases as Cruz has this season (38).
“I feel very proud to be part of that group, especially with a legend like Barry Bonds,” Cruz said via interpreter and coach Stephen Morales. “Knowing that I’m right there with him, it makes me really proud.”
It’s a milestone that shows the tier of player Cruz could belong to if he reaches his potential. From the record-setting exit velocities to the rocket arm and speed, he has the tools to forge a legendary season.
You’d be pressed to find many who thought Cruz reached that potential in 2025.
Cruz’s homerless streak from Aug. 30 to Tuesday was just one example of what has been a difficult season. Entering the series opener against Cincinnati, Cruz had slashed .185/.272/.312 with seven home runs and 98 strikeouts since June 1. That’s over half a season: 80 games and 313 trips to the plate.
While Cruz made strides defensively this year and his 38 steals lead the National League, the Pirates were counting on him to be the heartbeat of this offense. He’s shown it at times, but his .686 OPS is a significant drop from his .773 OPS in 2024.
It’s why, even as Cruz talked about reaching 20 homers for the second straight year, he admitted there’s more on the table.
“It felt good, just like any other home run,” Cruz said. “At the same time, I know I can do better. The season’s not going the way that I want, but I always go out there and try to do my best, and today was one of those days where I felt like I was in a really good spot physically out there just to hit the [ground] running.”
Finding a way to replicate those good feelings and being more consistent has been a challenge through Cruz’s Major League career. At his best, he can be the best player on the field. It hasn’t happened often enough in 2025.
“It’s definitely something that we’re really, really digging into and focused on,” general manager Ben Cherington said this past weekend. “It’s really important. We thought he was there for a couple of months … I think the offseason is going to be really important for him. Mostly, it just comes down to approach and swing decisions with him. When he makes contact and barrels the ball, still really good things are happening. It’s just what pitches he’s swinging at and how consistent in that approach. It just hasn’t been there for him in the second half of the season.”
There are still five games left in the season, and a strong finish could at least let Cruz go into the offseason on a better note. He wouldn’t describe his season as “frustrating,” and is instead focusing on making sure he will “hit the pedal until the last game.”
“I think it’s part of the game,” Cruz said. “Baseball is like that sometimes. Sometimes it goes your way. Sometimes it doesn’t. It’s just a matter of continuing to work hard to be better.”