Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Arm: 45 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

The talent from San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic, could make its own All-Star lineup over the past 30 years -- Fernando Tatis Jr., Alfonso Soriano, Robinson Canó, Sammy Sosa and others all called the city with a population just north of 200,000 home. De La Cruz looks to follow in those footsteps, drawing rave reviews already for his aptitude on the field and knowledge of in-game scenarios. He trains with Ysbel Medina in Santo Domingo North.

A switch-hitter, De La Cruz has supremely quick hands which help him get the barrel of the bat through the zone. While he does tend to sell out for power on occasion, he uses the opposite field well from both sides of the dish, giving confidence that the overall hit tool will continue to develop unabated. His knowledge of the strike zone also earns marks and he keeps his stroke short, integral traits for young hitters facing advanced arms.

De La Cruz’s footwork and instincts will keep him an up-the-middle defender as he gets his feet wet in pro ball. His arm is just average to solid, but his range will garner him looks at the six, even if the keystone may be his long-term home. There is still room to add good weight to his frame, which could unlock some basestealing prowess in time.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

After losing out on Roki Sasaki as the cream of the international crop to begin 2025, the Padres moved to build out their system with depth by adding three of MLB Pipeline's Top 50 international prospects: left-hander Carlos Alvarez, shortstop Deivid Coronil and De La Cruz, who checked in at No. 21 on the list. He signed with the Friars for $1 million out of the Dominican Republic on Jan. 22. De La Cruz spent his entire first Minor League season in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, where he hit .259/.477/.360 with one homer and 11 steals in 51 games.

The most promising part of the switch-hitter's DSL performance was that he walked more times (46) than he struck out (45) and finished with a 23.2 percent walk rate, 18th-best among the 304 qualifiers on the complex-level circuit. The DSL can sport some raw, wild arms, and De La Cruz choosing to take his free passes instead of forcing swings is a good sign. That said, he'll be much more tested in the zone when he comes stateside, and considering he stands just 5-foot-9, a lack of impact could make that an uphill climb. He'll also need more reps as a righty hitter to even out his early splits.

De La Cruz is considered an above-average runner, and his footwork, instincts and range should land him in the middle of the infield somewhere. He got ample starts at both shortstop and second base in the D.R. De La Cruz's profile will get more answers during his age-18 season in 2026.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Tons of talent has hailed from San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic, over the last few decades, including current Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. The San Diego organization hopes to unearth another star from the area in De La Cruz, who signed with the club for $1 million at the start of the 2025 international period. De La Cruz was one of three of MLB Pipeline's Top 50 international prospects to sign with the Friars, joining left-hander Carlos Alvarez and fellow shortstop Deivid Coronil at the top of the class.

The switch-hitter showed quick hands as an amateur, helping him drive the barrel through the zone quickly. He also drew good reviews for his strike-zone awareness for his age, signaling that he could have an average hit tool as a professional. De La Cruz would occasionally try to sell out for power, but at 5-foot-9, he doesn't project for a ton of pop. He's at his best when he sends the ball to all fields from both sides of the dish.

De La Cruz has the right defensive instincts on the dirt, and his footwork should help him stick up the middle. He has just average arm strength, which might portend a move to second base long-term, and it will be interesting to see how San Diego balances him and Coronil in their introductions to pro ball. He could be a decent basestealing threat, especially if he's able to maintain his speed as he fills out.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	SS Jhoan De La Cruz assigned to San Diego Padres Prospects.
	03/05/2026	SS Jhoan De La Cruz assigned to San Diego Padres Prospects.
	02/28/2025	DSL Padres Gold activated SS Jhoan De La Cruz.
	02/28/2025	SS Jhoan De La Cruz assigned to DSL Padres Gold.
	01/22/2025	San Diego Padres signed free agent SS Jhoan De La Cruz to a minor league contract.