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By now, everybody knows the name of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ young shortstop. Oneil Cruz, who hasn’t even been in the MLB for half a season, has become a must-watch.
Sure, his offensive numbers are disappointing. Through 22 games coming into Thursday, he has a .210 batting average with four home runs and 16 RBIs.
But his defense is what has everybody buzzing, and he made another unbelievable play on Thursday against the Miami Marlins.
Oneil Cruz 97.8 MPH throw!
It's the fastest throw by an MLB infielder during the Statcast era, which began in 2015 pic.twitter.com/PZihHJ4Hdu
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 14, 2022
Cruz just recorded the fastest throw by an infielder since Statcast began, and he made it look effortless.
The announcers were shocked. Everybody was left stunned, and Cruz even double-clutched a bit.
90 arm
scale usually goes to 80 but that's for humans 👽🛸 https://t.co/zcIWTVvrIl— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) July 14, 2022
Arguably more impressive than Aaron Hicks' 105 mph throw from the outfield. He's flicking it upper 90's sidearm without fully planting.
My guess is that he'll easily throw it 100+ across the infield when he "tries" and would be 105 (or harder) from a true OF crow hop. https://t.co/SIQdJK3LR7
— Ben Brewster (@TreadAthletics) July 14, 2022
That ball had a vapor trail, just insane https://t.co/5Sg8ifuQwK
— Not Gaetti (@notgaetti) July 14, 2022
Oneil Cruz has a certified CANNON at shortstop @Starting9
https://t.co/OtyZAiJxv2— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 14, 2022
Bring out the Brinks Truck immediately https://t.co/VlUc7qflEK
— Dominic Campbell (@DOMISMONEY) July 14, 2022
My god https://t.co/W7jyWetJex
— Light Skin, Medium Ugly (@FlyLikeJayy) July 14, 2022
Earlier in the game, Cruz knocked out Miguel Rojas’s tooth when he slid into second base.
Miguel Rojas just got his tooth knocked out by Oneil Cruz.
Oh my @Starting9
pic.twitter.com/sRdgAx2Nkn— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 14, 2022
Cruz is a star in the making, and if his offensive game picks up, he should be an All-Star for a long time in the MLB. But let’s not discredit the unreal stretch by first baseman Michael Chavis, either.
And the first basemen's stretch! https://t.co/SAJM8icZQk
— Mary Lamey (@marylamey) July 14, 2022
Sadly, the Marlins defeated the Pirates, 3-2, on a walk-off, two-run triple by Brian Anderson in the 11th inning. Still, this play by Cruz will be played for a long time, and there are plenty more plays like this up his sleeve.