Follow the Prospects: Armando Cruz, SS

[imref]

DOB: 1/16/2004, Dominican Republic

Signed as an international free agent in January of 2021 ($3.9 million)

Bats R / Throws R
5' 10", 160

MLB.com Scouting Grades/Report (20-80 grading scale)

HIT 55
POWER 40
RUN 55
ARM 55
FIELD 60

https://www.mlb.com/prospects/international/armando-cruz-694182

Cruz might be the best defender at any position in this year’s class, and he’s definitely a player to watch now and for years to come.

Cruz’s medium build has drawn comparisons to a young Jose Iglesias, which says a lot about the player he could become. He’s known as a plus defender with an extraordinary combination of footwork and hands. He has also shown plus range with average arm now that projects to be well above average as he continues to mature and develop. He already displays above average carry on his throws.

The shortstop’s hands also play in the batter’s box. The right-handed hitter has shown good bat speed and a slight upstroke with his swing. He consistently barrels up the ball and is proficient at hitting line drives across the entire outfield. Power isn’t part of his game, but he still projects to add strength to his overall game as he matures. He’s an average runner now with basestealing potential, and speed is expected to be a plus tool in the future. Scouts also love his baseball IQ and plus makeup.

Cruz is trained by John Carmona, a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program, in Santo Domingo. He is expected to sign with the Nationals.

Videos:
https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/PlayerProfile.aspx?ID=556811

Washington Post profile:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/01/19/nationals-international-signing-armando-cruz/

[imref]

I'm guessing he slots into our top 10 in our prospects list. It will be interesting to see where he plays this year given the changes in the minor league system and his age.

[imref]

Cruz has already established a well-deserved reputation for his defensive prowess.  In fact, he is often called “El Mago” (which is Spanish for “The Magician”) by his teammates and friends in the Dominican Republic. At 5’11/170lbs., Cruz is athletic and lean with quick-twitch actions.  His hands are soft and he gets rid of the baseball utilizing a lightning-quick transfer. His arm strength projects to be above average as well.  His throws from short have reportedly been timed as high as 92 MPH.  That, in combination with his quick release, will allow him to successfully make plays when ranging in the hole and delivering strong throws across the infield (the most demanding “routine” play that shortstops have to make).  Cruz also has the unique ability to create arm speed from a variety of slots, which often plays a significant role – for example – in successfully turning a double play or making an awkward throw on a slow roller.  Physically, DiPuglia compares Cruz to a player like José Iglesias, who recently completed his ninth Major League season and was an AL All-Star in 2015 with the Detroit Tigers.

More here:
https://www.talknats.com/2021/02/21/scouting-nats-prospects-armando-cruz-yasel-antuna/

[imref]

Via TalkNats: “What a day for Armando Cruz in the FCL! He went 4-6 with a his first professional homer and five RBI. The slick fielding shortstop wasn’t scouted for his bat, but he’s been tremendous to start the FCL season.“

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.mlb.com/nationals/news/hottest-hitting-prospects-june-2022?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage

Nationals: Armando Cruz, SS (No.
Cruz made his stateside debut when the Florida Complex League began two weeks ago, and he’s been solid offensively ever since. The 18-year-old shortstop already has three multihit performances through his first eight games and enters Tuesday 12-for-33 (.364) with a homer, a double and three steals in that span. The Dominican Republic native has been considered a Gold Glove-caliber defender at short ever since signing for $3.9 million in January 2021, so he doesn’t need to hit a ton to provide value. The Nats will still take this start in the FCL.

[imref]

5 hits in todays DH. Up to .318 BA

[imref]

Heading to Fredricksburg

[imref]

First hit for the frednats was a double. Went 1-6 today.

[imref]

Hot start: 2-5, 2 RBI yesterday,  .400/.400./.400 in his first 10 ABs

[welch]

Hot start: 2-5, 2 RBI yesterday,  .400/.400./.400 in his first 10 ABs

I noticed that. Cruz is supposed to be not a hitter, but maybe...

[imref]

struggling at Fredricksburg so far: .194 /.283 / .233   

[zimm_da_kid]

It’s whatever.  We have Abrams and garcia plus baker at aaa.  Between them, we can afford to let Cruz cook in the minors for 4 or 5 years to see if the bat can at least be slightly below average.  If it gets to slightly below average he’s a regular.  If not, slick fielding shortstops that can at least bat .200 have a spot as a 26th man or waiver wire bouncer

[DCsOwn]

https://twitter.com/fxbgnats/status/1665449781387296768?s=46&t=Q_qc3R_qyMHAAFvlywNqzQ

[imref]

Game tying grand slam in the ninth tonight

https://twitter.com/fxbgnats/status/1687988691552161793?s=46&t=VxK4vP11aMUU5dFhz5Ltrg

[JCA-CrystalCity]

kid is still 19. FWIW, last 28 days, he's .240 / .296 / .400, over 55 PAs.  Ks down to < 20%.

[nobleisthyname]

2023 Recap

Age: 20
Team rank: Unranked
Current level: A

2023: .190/.266/.251 .517 OPS, 3 HR, 7 SB (372 PA)
2023 position (games played): 84 SS, 6 2B

[imref]

Guess who seems to have figured out how to hit: .321   / .769 in 28 ABs so far.  No power but two SBs.

[welch]

Guess who seems to have figured out how to hit: .321   / .769 in 28 ABs so far.  No power but two SBs.

If the Nats already have Armando Cruz, a great fielding but light hitting SS, why do they need Nasim Nunez? Why waste a roster spot? I keep asking that...

[imref]

If the Nats already have Armando Cruz, a great fielding but light hitting SS, why do they need Nasim Nunez? Why waste a roster spot? I keep asking that...

cruz is 20 and has never played above low-a. He’s the guy who replaces Abrams when we trade him to the dodgers for prospects.

[Smithian]

If the Nats already have Armando Cruz, a great fielding but light hitting SS, why do they need Nasim Nunez? Why waste a roster spot? I keep asking that...

Cruz is a 2026 guy if everything goes right. Nunez is a great stop gap.

And you never begin to slot a player in until they hit in AA.

[welch]

Cruz is a 2026 guy if everything goes right. Nunez is a great stop gap.

And you never begin to slot a player in until they hit in AA.

Nunez hit .225 last year in Pensacola, AA. He has never hit much in the minors.

[welch]

Hitting .306 with .714 OPS at Fred-Burg.

https://www.milb.com/player/armando-cruz-694182