Humberto Cruz
P | Bats/Throws: R/R | 6' 1" 170LBS | Age: 18
MLB Pipeline Rank
W L ERA G GS SV IP SO WHIP
2024 0 0 0.00 2 2 0 2 2 1.00
Career Minors 0 0 0.00 2 2 0 2 2 1.00
G W-L ERA IP SO WHIP
2024 2 0-0 0.00 2 2 1.00
Career Minors 2 0-0 0.00 2 2 1.00

Standard Minor League Pitching Statistics

SeasonTmLGLWLERAGGSSVIPHRERHRBBSOWHIP
2024 ACL Padres ACL ROK 0 0 0.00 2 2 0 2.0 1 0 0 0 1 2 1.00

Scouting Report

2024

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 50

The 2024 international class wasn’t exactly loaded with arms as only two pitchers ranked among MLB Pipeline’s Top 50 prospects in the group. But the Padres believe they’ve found a promising one in Cruz, who signed with the club for $750,000 on Feb. 21 -- days after the organization traded 2023 12th-rounder Blake Dickerson to the Tigers for international signing money. The Mexico native most notably pitched twice in the U-18 World Cup in September 2023, including a four-inning outing in a 2-1 win loss to eventual third-place nation South Korea when he was still 16 years old.

The 6-foot-1 right-hander was typically in the upper-80s during his World Cup experience but has averaged around 94 mph in front of Padres evaluators since signing. The heater comes with heavy sink and could be a real wormkiller on the pro side. His low-80s changeup similarly shows promising armside fade that could turn it into a weapon against lefties, and similarly aged hitters seemed to be willing to chase it in the international tournament. He actually threw his upper-70s slider even more in the World Cup, and it has more drop than sweep, though hitters found it easier to lay off.

The standout quality of Cruz’s current game is the ease with which he throws the ball. Listed at 170 pounds right now, he can look rail thin on the mound, but his athleticism and fluidity allow him to throw constant strikes. That’s all the more notable considering many teen arms struggle to find the zone so early in their development. The Padres believe Cruz can be advanced enough to become a prominent pitcher in their system in time.


Transactions

Team Date Transaction
07/19/2024 RHP Humberto Cruz assigned to ACL Padres.
02/21/2024 RHP Humberto Cruz assigned to DSL Padres Gold.
02/21/2024 San Diego Padres signed free agent RHP Humberto Cruz to a minor league contract.
02/21/2024 RHP Humberto Cruz roster status changed by DSL Padres Gold.
06/06/2023 Diablos Rojos del Mexico placed Humberto Cruz on the reserve list.
06/06/2023 Diablos Rojos del Mexico placed Humberto Cruz on the reserve list.
06/03/2023 Humberto Cruz assigned to Diablos Rojos del Mexico.