Omar Cruz

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #25 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High.
  
  Track Record: Cruz has experienced quite the career arc. The Padres signed him in 2017, then dealt him to the Pirates prior to 2021 in the Joe Musgrove trade. After three years in Pittsburgh, Cruz was selected by San Diego in the Triple-A phase of the 2023 Rule 5 Draft. In his age-25 season, Cruz then experienced a bit of a breakout in 2024, compiling a 3.96 ERA with a career-high 118 strikeouts across 86.1 total innings in the upper minors.
  
  Scouting Report: An undersized southpaw, Cruz attacks hitters from a near over-the-top slot and features a low-to-mid-90s fastball that plays well at the top of the zone thanks to its riding life, a low-to-mid-80s changeup that flashes plus and an effective mid-70s curveball. He maintains his arm speed and throws his changeup with conviction, and it averaged more than 11 mph off his fastball and features late tumbling life. Cruz’s curveball has big-time depth and a true 12-to-6 look. His changeup and curveball generated miss rates of 48% and 46%, respectively, and he projects as an intriguing bullpen option.
  
  The Future: Like Henry Baez and Ryan Bergert, Cruz was recently added to San Diego’s 40-man roster and will compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster. Even if he doesn’t break camp with the big league club, Cruz is still in line to make his MLB debut in 2025.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50.
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #23 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: The Padres purchased Cruz’s rights from the Mexican League’s Mexico City franchise for $100,000 in 2017, the same club they purchased Luis Urias and Andres Muñoz from in previous years. Cruz dominated the short-season levels and jumped for high Class A Fort Wayne in 2019, where he posted a 2.76 ERA in 10 starts. He continued to shine during 2020 instructional league and was acquired by the Pirates after the season as part of the Joe Musgrove trade.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Cruz’s fastball has improved to 89-93 mph with room to keep growing. His fastball plays up with carry through the zone and gets swings and misses despite modest velocity. Cruz’s primary weapon is a big, overhand curveball with a high arc. It can get loopy at times at 73-77 mph, but he shows an impressive feel to spin the ball and should add power to it as he gets stronger. His fading 78-82 mph changeup shows average potential and he attacks the strike zone with average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Cruz shows the makings of the back-of-the-rotation starter if he can continue adding velocity. He’s a strong competitor who has a chance to move quickly in 2021.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Padres purchased Cruz’s rights from the Mexican League’s Mexico City franchise for $100,000 in 2017, the same club they purchased Luis Urias and Andres Muñoz from in previous years. Cruz dominated the short-season levels and jumped for high Class A Fort Wayne in 2019, where he posted a 2.76 ERA in 10 starts. He continued to shine during 2020 instructional league and was acquired by the Pirates after the season as part of the Joe Musgrove trade.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Cruz’s fastball has improved to 89-93 mph with room to keep growing. His fastball plays up with carry through the zone and gets swings and misses despite modest velocity. Cruz’s primary weapon is a big, overhand curveball with a high arc. It can get loopy at times at 73-77 mph, but he shows an impressive feel to spin the ball and should add power to it as he gets stronger. His fading 78-82 mph changeup shows average potential and he attacks the strike zone with average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Cruz shows the makings of the back-of-the-rotation starter if he can continue adding velocity. He’s a strong competitor who has a chance to move quickly in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Padres purchased Cruz’s rights from the Mexican League’s Mexico City franchise for $100,000 in 2017, the same club they purchased Luis Urias and Andres Muñoz from in previous years. Cruz dominated the short-season levels and jumped for high Class A Fort Wayne in 2019, where he posted a 2.76 ERA in 10 starts. He continued to shine during 2020 instructional league and was acquired by the Pirates after the season as part of the Joe Musgrove trade.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Cruz’s fastball has improved to 89-93 mph with room to keep growing. His fastball plays up with carry through the zone and gets swings and misses despite modest velocity. Cruz’s primary weapon is a big, overhand curveball with a high arc. It can get loopy at times at 73-77 mph, but he shows an impressive feel to spin the ball and should add power to it as he gets stronger. His fading 78-82 mph changeup shows average potential and he attacks the strike zone with average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Cruz shows the makings of the back-of-the-rotation starter if he can continue adding velocity. He’s a strong competitor who has a chance to move quickly in 2021.