The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired outfielder Bryan De La Cruz from the Miami Marlins right before the close of the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline. In exchange, Pittsburgh sent infielder Garret Forrester, their No. 18 prospect, and pitcher Jun-Seok to Miami for De La Cruz. It was a busy day for the Pirates, as they also acquired utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa earlier.
De La Cruz is hitting .245 with 18 home runs and 51 RBIs this season. He joins the “Steel City” on a hot streak, having recorded an RBI in five consecutive games and six of the last seven. Pirates fans hope De La Cruz can maintain his stellar play as he heads north. How will De La Cruz fare with the Pirates in the final few months of the regular season as the team competes for a playoff spot in a crowded National League?
Bryan De La Cruz Career Summary
Pirates reportedly acquiring OF Bryan De La Cruz from Marlins, per multiple reports including https://t.co/Z3s2EpgF39’s @Feinsand. pic.twitter.com/o5pWw447W9
— MLB (@MLB) July 30, 2024
De La Cruz’s MLB Journey
De La Cruz made his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins in 2021 and has spent his entire career with the team. He had his best season in 2023 and is on pace to surpass most, if not all, of those marks this year. He has a career .258 batting average with 55 home runs and 191 RBIs.
How Will De La Cruz Fit In With The Pittsburgh Pirates?
Pittsburgh (54-52) is in third place in the National League Central and two games behind the third and final National League Wild Card spot. De La Cruz aims to provide an immediate boost to a Pirates offense that has struggled this season, ranking 26th in batting average, 24th in home runs, and 23rd in runs scored. For Pittsburgh to make the MLB Playoffs for the first time since 2015 and become a true contender in the National League, their offense needs improvement. De La Cruz hopes to offer the necessary support.
Pittsburgh’s offense is led by left fielder Bryan Reynolds, who tops the team in all major offensive categories. He is hitting .288 this season with 18 home runs and 61 RBIs. Success from the duo of Reynolds and De La Cruz will be crucial for the Pirates’ playoff aspirations as they approach the final stretch of the 2024 regular season.
Pirates Led By Pitching In 2024
Behind rookie sensation Paul Skenes, the Pirates’ pitching staff has been their strong suit this season. They rank 11th in ERA, 21st in opposing batting average, and 18th in WHIP. The staff is led by Skenes and Mitch Keller, with Keller ranking eighth in the league with 10 wins this season and leading the team in ERA and strikeouts. Skenes, with a remarkable 1.90 ERA, would lead the league by a wide margin but lacks the required number of starts to qualify. He is the frontrunner for the NL Rookie of the Year Award.
Pirates Upcoming Schedule
The Pittsburgh Pirates are currently playing the middle game of their three-game series against the Houston Astros. They will begin a three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. The Pirates hope that once De La Cruz joins the lineup, he will provide the spark needed for a playoff push.
