Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

The Dominican-born Cruz attracted attention on the 2022 international market, but a $200,000 deal fell through with a team. He trained at Mejia Top 10 Academy, which also produced Cubs shortstop prospects Jefferson Rojas and Cristian Hernandez, so Chicago knew Cruz well and stayed on him when he moved to Florida for his final two years of high school. He was difficult to scout last spring because he had knee surgery in November 2023 and wasn't completely healthy until late in his senior year, but the Cubs believed he was a top-two-rounds talent and made him a surprise third-round pick in July, luring him away from a Miami commitment with a below-slot $620,000 bonus. Cruz played in the Arizona Complex League in his first taste of the pros, slashing .270/.314/.431 with a 91 wRC+ before he was traded to the Nationals at the Deadline in a package for Michael Soroka.

With a quick right-handed swing and projectable strength in his still-growing 6-foot-2 frame, Cruz already displays plus raw power in batting practice. He generated some of the highest exit velocities during BP at the MLB Draft Combine and could produce 25 or more homers on an annual basis once he's fully developed. There are questions about his hitting ability because he can be overly aggressive and doesn't have much history facing quality pitching, and those concerns remain after his ACL stint.

Cruz isn't especially quick out of the batter's box but flashed plus straight-line speed after turning pro with his knee fully healthy. Out of the Draft, Chicago believed he has the actions and plus arm strength to remain at shortstop, and if he outgrows the position, center field could be Plan B. Even if he needs to move to third base with the Nationals, he has the tools to handle himself there too. By getting Cruz before his 19th birthday, Washington should get to control the long road of his development as an upside play.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

Born in the Dominican Republic, Cruz had teams interested in signing him when he became eligible on the international market in 2022. He moved to Florida for his final two years of high school and was hard to scout this spring because he had knee surgery in November 2023 and wasn't completely healthy until late in his senior year. Though he was a surprise third-round selection in July, the Cubs had second-round grades on him and signed him away from a Miami commitment for a below-slot $620,000.

Cruz has a quick right-handed swing and already showcases plus raw power in batting practice. He could provide 20 or more homers per season once he adds strength to his 6-foot-1 frame. He may need some time to adapt to pro pitching because he can get overly aggressive at the plate.

After displaying average run times early in the spring, Cruz flashed plus speed once his knee fully recovered. Chicago likes his actions at shortstop and believes he'll stay there, with center field as a fallback. Some clubs project him as more of a third baseman, and his plus arm will be an asset wherever he winds up.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/04/2025	FCL Nationals activated SS Ronny Cruz.
	07/31/2025	Washington Nationals traded RHP Michael Soroka to Chicago Cubs for SS Ronny Cruz and LF Christian Franklin.
	07/31/2025	SS Ronny Cruz assigned to FCL Nationals.
	03/06/2025	activated SS Ronny Cruz.
	08/05/2024	SS Ronny Cruz assigned to ACL Cubs.
	07/20/2024	Chicago Cubs signed SS Ronny Cruz.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated SS Ronny Cruz.
	05/19/2024	High School Workout activated 2B Ronny Cruz.