Scouting Report

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

Cruz may have the most extensive big league pedigree in this year's Draft, as his father Jose, grandfather Jose and great-uncles Hector and Tommy all played in the Majors. His uncle Enrique started at second base for the 2003 College World Series champions at Rice, where Trei has spent the last three seasons. Selected in the 35th round out of high school by the Astros in 2017 and in the 37th round as a sophomore-eligible by the Nationals in 2019, he should fit in the first five rounds after improving several aspects of his game.

A switch-hitter, Cruz has toned down his approach after selling out for home runs in the past. He has modified a big leg kick he used from the left side of the plate and displayed better strike-zone discipline during the truncated 2020 season. Scouts see him as a hit-over-power guy who could provide 15 homers on an annual basis.

Cruz posted below-average running times in the past but now flashes average speed, especially once he gets going, and shows aggressiveness and savvy on the bases. His average arm and fringy range don't lend themselves to sticking at shortstop, though he may get a chance to play there for a while in pro ball after displaying more quickness this spring. His best fit is at second base, where he played well as a freshman.

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

The grandson of former Astros great José Cruz and son of former first-round pick and longtime MLB center fielder José Cruz Jr., Trei Cruz was a third-round pick in the shortened 2020 Draft whose career seemed stalled at Double-A Erie, where he spent parts of four seasons. After adding outfield to his position list and becoming more of an impact hitter, Cruz won over Tigers officials by becoming the pinnacle of versatility, a switch-hitter who can play all over the field and defend well nearly everywhere. That didn’t get him to Detroit in 2025, but it earned him a spot on the 40-man roster in the offseason and a long look in Spring Training.

While Cruz has always been a switch-hitter, he’s much more dangerous from the left side, where he hit all of his home runs in 2024 and 2025. He adjusted his swing two years ago with help from his dad to produce more power from his hips and lower body, yet he doesn’t chase home runs, taking more of a doubles mentality. He has the bat speed to keep up with rising velocity and produce a high hard-hit rate, yet stays very disciplined at the plate with a low chase rate and swing rate overall. His high walk rate, even against lefties, enables him to utilize above-average speed on the bases. While he doesn’t have a standout defensive position, he’s athletic and instinctive enough to play just about everywhere.

As a switch-hitter who can be that versatile, Cruz profiles as the ultimate player for manager A.J. Hinch’s bench. Hitting a little stronger against lefties would help his cause, but it’s not hard to envision Cruz as a fill-in for an injured Zach McKinstry should the need arise.

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

The grandson of two-time All-Star Jose Cruz and son of 11-year Major Leaguer Jose Cruz Jr., Cruz -- who gets his name for being third in line -- went to his father’s alma mater at Rice University and landed with the Tigers as a 2020 third-rounder, signing for $900,000. He’s slowly climbed the Detroit ladder since and spent his entire 2023 season with Double-A Erie, where he hit .214/.335/.371 with 14 homers, nine steals and a 99 wRC+ over 120 games.

A switch-hitter, the 6-foot-1 slugger stands tall in the box from both sides and puts his hands particularly high pre-pitch as a lefty. His 2023 splits were rather stark, however. Nine of his 14 homers came as a right-handed hitter, and he slashed .275/.336/.580 from that side compared to .189/.335/.286 from the other. In both cases, he rarely expands the zone against pitches of all types, leading to healthy walk rates, but his swing-and-miss, especially against breaking stuff, is more exaggerated from the left side. Cruz also elevates the ball perhaps too much, leading to catchable flyballs that dull his average due to average raw power.

Drafted as a shortstop, Cruz has added second and third base to his profile in the pros, but he received the plurality of his starts in center field last season for Erie. He’s taken well to the position thanks to his overall athleticism, and that’s huge for his profile considering he’s long been trending toward a utility spot anyway. He could provide depth across multiple positions for the Tigers’ Major League squad as early as this summer if he can improve enough offensively.

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

Cruz is vying to become a third-generation Major Leaguer and the fifth member of his family in the big leagues. His grandfather, Jose Cruz, was a two-time All-Star during a 19-year MLB career, mostly in Houston. Jose Cruz Jr. played 11 big league seasons, hit 204 career home runs and won a Gold Glove in 2003 after going third overall in the 1995 MLB Draft. Trei followed his father’s path to Rice University, where his strong, abbreviated junior season after a solid summer-ball campaign earned him a third-round pick and $900,000 bonus from the Tigers. With no Minor League season, he spent most of the summer in the independent Constellation Energy League, drawing more walks (15) than hits (11) in 25 games against largely veteran pitchers.

Cruz is one of several well-sized, college-drafted Tigers infield prospects who can play around the diamond, but he stands out with a switch-hitting bat, a disciplined plate approach and a better glove at shortstop. He moved away from chasing power and became a tougher at-bat in his junior season. Though not fast, he has become an instinctive and opportunistic baserunner, swiping 11 bases in summer ball in 2019 and seven bases in nine attempts over 25 games in the Constellation League. He’s athletic and moves well for his size, though his arm could make him a better fit at second base.

Cruz has primarily played shortstop early in his young career, but he's taken some steps back with the bat, in part because of a shoulder injury that limited in the early half of the season. The Tigers are still excited about his electric tools and have hopes he can still put them together to become a potential utility infielder at the top level down the line.

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

Cruz has the most extensive big league legacy in the 2020 Draft, as his father Jose (the No. 3 overall pick in the 2005 Draft), grandfather Jose (a two-time All-Star) and great-uncles Hector and Tommy all played at the game's highest level. Selected in the 35th round out of high school by the Astros in 2017 and in the 37th round as a sophomore-eligible by the Nationals in 2019 -- dropping both times because of signability -- he boosted his stock by improving offensively and defensively this spring. Rice's best position prospect since Anthony Rendon was the sixth overall choice in 2011, he went in the third round to the Tigers and signed for $900,000. 

The switch-hitting Cruz modified his approach in 2020 after selling out for home runs in the past. He toned down a huge leg kick he used from the left side of the plate and showed better strike-zone discipline. Scouts now see him as a hit-over-power guy who could hit 15 homers per season. 

After posting below-average running times previously, Cruz flashed average speed this spring (especially once he's underway) and continued to show aggressiveness and instincts on the bases. His fringy range and average arm don't lend themselves to playing shortstop in the Majors, though he may get a chance to see if he can stick there after displaying more quickness as a junior. He fits best at second base, where he played well as a freshman. 

Awards

EAS Player of the Week

Week	Team
04/30/2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/24/2026	Detroit Tigers optioned CF Trei Cruz to Toledo Mud Hens.
	03/05/2026	CF Trei Cruz assigned to Detroit Tigers Prospects.
	11/18/2025	Detroit Tigers selected the contract of CF Trei Cruz from Toledo Mud Hens.
	07/07/2025	SS Trei Cruz assigned to Toledo Mud Hens from Erie SeaWolves.
	11/01/2024	Erie SeaWolves activated SS Trei Cruz from the full-season injured list.
	08/27/2024	Erie SeaWolves placed SS Trei Cruz on the full-season injured list.
	08/27/2024	Erie SeaWolves placed SS Trei Cruz on the full-season injured list.
	08/16/2024	Erie SeaWolves placed SS Trei Cruz on the 7-day injured list retroactive to August 15, 2024.
	03/07/2024	Detroit Tigers Prospects activated SS Trei Cruz.
	02/01/2024	SS Trei Cruz assigned to Puerto Rico.
	11/03/2023	Leones de Ponce activated SS Trei Cruz.
	11/03/2023	SS Trei Cruz assigned to Leones de Ponce.
	03/02/2023	SS Trei Cruz roster status changed by Detroit Tigers.
	03/02/2023	SS Trei Cruz assigned to Detroit Tigers.
	03/02/2023	SS Trei Cruz roster status changed by Detroit Tigers.
	12/10/2022	Equipo Isla activated SS Trei Cruz.
	11/04/2022	SS Trei Cruz assigned to Leones de Ponce.
	11/04/2022	Leones de Ponce activated SS Trei Cruz.
	09/29/2022	Erie SeaWolves activated SS Trei Cruz.
	09/13/2022	Erie SeaWolves transferred SS Trei Cruz to the Development List.
	08/30/2022	SS Trei Cruz assigned to Erie SeaWolves from West Michigan Whitecaps.
	08/30/2022	Erie SeaWolves activated SS Trei Cruz.
	08/30/2022	Erie SeaWolves activated SS Trei Cruz.
	04/08/2022	SS Trei Cruz assigned to West Michigan Whitecaps.
	03/26/2022	SS Trei Cruz roster status changed by Detroit Tigers.
	03/26/2022	SS Trei Cruz assigned to Detroit Tigers.
	08/03/2021	Lakeland Flying Tigers activated SS Trei Cruz.
	08/02/2021	SS Trei Cruz assigned to FCL Tigers East from FCL Tigers West.
	07/30/2021	Lakeland Flying Tigers sent SS Trei Cruz on a rehab assignment to FCL Tigers West.
	07/29/2021	Lakeland Flying Tigers placed SS Trei Cruz on the 60-day injured list.
	07/05/2021	SS Trei Cruz assigned to Lakeland Flying Tigers from West Michigan Whitecaps.
	06/08/2021	West Michigan Whitecaps activated SS Trei Cruz from the 7-day injured list.
	05/10/2021	West Michigan Whitecaps placed SS Trei Cruz on the 7-day injured list.
	02/12/2021	SS Trei Cruz assigned to Tigers Organization.
	02/12/2021	SS Trei Cruz assigned to Tigers Organization.
	06/17/2020	Detroit Tigers signed SS Trei Cruz.
	06/17/2020	SS Trei Cruz assigned to Norwich Sea Unicorns.
	06/17/2020	SS Trei Cruz assigned to Norwich Sea Unicorns.
	02/28/2019	SS Trei Cruz assigned to Rice Owls.