Oneil Cruz Didn't Win the Home Run Derby
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The Pittsburgh Pirates will almost certainly be aggressive sellers at the trade deadline, but that doesn't mean they will completely clean house.
Pittsburgh Pirates star Oneil Cruz had a big night on Monday at the MLB Home Run Derby. Cruz blasted several homers, and came close to winning the event. Cruz used an unusual bat in the derby, with the iconic video game figure Donkey Kong on it.
Raleigh will become the second-ever player to switch hit in the Derby ( Adley Rutschman in 2023, lost 2nd round), plus no catcher has ever won the derby. This is year 39 of the event, so odds are against Raleigh despite him being the favorite.
In a great many ways, Cruz is a baseball anomaly. He, too, has predecessors, though, including one whose legacy is stamped quite literally on Cruz's identity: former Yankees and Reds outfielder Paul O'Neill.
Oneil Cruz 2024 redemption tour starts on Opening Day #MLB #baseball #mlbtiktok #baseballtiktok #baseballtiktoks #baseballboys #baseballlife #baseballszn #madethecut #pirates
Ahead of his scheduled start in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes arrived to the festivities in style.
Oneil Cruz hits the ball hard — really hard. Here's a breakdown of just how lethal of a hitter he can be when he makes contact.