Bryan De La Cruz Stats & Scouting Report — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

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De la Cruz returned from the coronavirus shutdown significantly stronger and made swing adjustments to get the ball in the air more. The result was new career highs in batting average (.324), slugging percentage (.518) and homers (12) before the Astros dealt him to the Marlins for Yimi Garcia at the trade deadline. De la Cruz immediately seized a starting job in Miami and hit .296/.356/.427 in his 58 games while starting at all three outfield positions. “When he would come up, I just put my head down because we couldn’t get the guy out,” Round Rock manager Kenny Holmberg said. “It was damage, extra-base hits, big-time production. You just kind of scratch your head and ask yourself, ‘Is anybody else in this league getting this guy out?’ ” De la Cruz is an above-average runner with a plus arm and can play all three outfield positions. Some see him as a future fourth outfielder, but his offensive gains give him a chance to remain a starter.

De la Cruz returned from the coronavirus shutdown significantly stronger and made swing adjustments to get the ball in the air more. The result was new career highs in batting average (.324), slugging percentage (.518) and homers (12) before the Astros dealt him to the Marlins for Yimi Garcia at the trade deadline. De la Cruz immediately seized a starting job in Miami and hit .296/.356/.427 in his 58 games while starting at all three outfield positions. “When he would come up, I just put my head down because we couldn’t get the guy out,” Round Rock manager Kenny Holmberg said. “It was damage, extra-base hits, big-time production. You just kind of scratch your head and ask yourself, ‘Is anybody else in this league getting this guy out?’ ” De la Cruz is an above-average runner with a plus arm and can play all three outfield positions. Some see him as a future fourth outfielder, but his offensive gains give him a chance to remain a starter.
Acquired from the Astros for RHP Yimi Garcia, de la Cruz will get a shot to earn a fourth outfielder's job with Miami over the rest of this season. He was in the middle of his best season as a pro when he was traded. He's able to play a fringy center field in addition to above-average defense in the corners. With the ability to square up fastballs and improved ability to hit the ball in the air, he has a shot at being a useful big leaguer.