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Growing pains almost completely behind them, the Pittsburgh Pirates eye contending in 2024, Lifestyle
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1 MLB Player at Each Position Primed to Explode into Stardom in 2023, News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
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In Pittsburgh, Pirates' overhaul gains momentum by the day
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Pirates' Oneil Cruz has unlimited potential. His upside: Baseball Giannis
![On First Opening Day, Oneil Cruz Shows Why Pittsburgh Pirates Consider Him Franchise Player](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/06/29/USAT/8928fbdb-c835-4ab2-9342-fc7dd2ac72b9-USATSI_18605676.jpg?crop=1440,1920,x410,y0)
Oneil Cruz, Pirates rookie, is the tallest shortstop in MLB history
![On First Opening Day, Oneil Cruz Shows Why Pittsburgh Pirates Consider Him Franchise Player](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2023/04/01061311/USATSI_20357801-scaled.jpg)
Pirates Fast 5: Thoughts on Bryan Reynolds contact talks, Rob Zastryzny's debut, more - The Athletic
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Oneil Cruz sparks win in 2022 Pirates debut
![On First Opening Day, Oneil Cruz Shows Why Pittsburgh Pirates Consider Him Franchise Player](https://i0.wp.com/pittsburghbaseballnow.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2023/10/Noda-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C240&ssl=1)
Perrotto: Pirates Had Only One Real Choice With Oneil Cruz
![On First Opening Day, Oneil Cruz Shows Why Pittsburgh Pirates Consider Him Franchise Player](https://assets-varnish.triblive.com/2023/07/6423886_web1_ptr-BucsSox03-041023.jpg)
With no specific return date in mind, Pirates Ke'Bryan Hayes, Oneil Cruz continue to rehab injuries
![On First Opening Day, Oneil Cruz Shows Why Pittsburgh Pirates Consider Him Franchise Player](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/06/b3eb6-16560146001648-1920.jpg)
Took y'all long enough to call him up Freak of nature. As big as Judge and as fast as Tyreek Hill - Pittsburgh Pirates fans swooning over Oneil Cruz as he dazzles
![On First Opening Day, Oneil Cruz Shows Why Pittsburgh Pirates Consider Him Franchise Player](https://imageio.forbes.com/specials-images/imageserve/6451530ae59f8cf390f906aa/0x0.jpg?format=jpg&height=900&width=1600&fit=bounds)
Pittsburgh Pirates Are Outperforming Their Best-Case Scenario
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WATCH: Pirates rookie Oneil Cruz rockets 122.4-mph single for hardest MLB hit ever recorded
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Off The Bat: Oneil Cruz on his time away from the game, what he's learned and upcoming battles with Elly De La Cruz
![On First Opening Day, Oneil Cruz Shows Why Pittsburgh Pirates Consider Him Franchise Player](https://pittsburghbaseballnow.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2023/09/Cruz20232.jpg)
Perrotto: Pirates Had Only One Real Choice With Oneil Cruz