John Cruz

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #25 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: The Yankees’ club in the Florida Complex League had evaluators buzzing all summer long, with headliners like Roderick Arias and Henry Lalane getting the bulk of the ink. Cruz’s combination of youth and production opened eyes, and he finished the year as one of three players in the league with double-digit home runs.
  
  Scouting Report: The Yankees signed Cruz on the strength of a loose, powerful swing from the left side with a body that could add plenty more strength. Those traits showed up in spades in the FCL, where scouts saw a player with less rawness than one would expect for a player his age. There’s some mechanical issues in his swing that causes a bit of a hole at the top of the zone, and he needs to make better swing decisions in order to make high-quality contact more often. His whiff rates are better than average for his age, but he often hits pitcher’s pitches and makes weak contact. Scouts are split about whether Cruz will stick in center field. If he moves to a corner, his above-average arm strength and speed would fit well in right field.
  
  The Future: Cruz will get his first taste of full-season ball in 2024, when he will move to Low-A Tampa. He likely fits as a corner outfielder with power and hittability who can man center field in a pinch.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55