Oneil Cruz wasted no time beginning spring training by working on a major deficiency from a disappointing 2025 campaign.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Colin Beazley shared a video of Cruz batting against offseason acquisition Mason Montgomery. Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly said the center fielder requested to face the left-handed relief pitcher.

“He’s challenging himself; he wants to get better,” Kelly said. “… He’s working his tail off every day: outfield, hitting, everything to be better.”

Asked Don Kelly about this matchup. Kelly said Oneil Cruz specifically asked to face lefties like Mason Montgomery.

Kelly, on Cruz: “He’s challenging himself; he wants to get better. … He’s working his tail off every day: outfield, hitting, everything to be better.” https://t.co/UuNiGw90x6

— Colin Beazley (@colin_beazley) February 12, 2026

Rather than climbing closer to stardom, Cruz took a considerable step backward last season. Although he continued to pummel baseballs when making contact, he hit .200/.298/.378 with a 32.0 percent strikeout rate.

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Cruz particularly faltered against southpaws, batting 11-for-108 with 44 strikeouts and an anemic .400 OPS. Those struggles cost him playing time late in the season when the Pirates opposed a left-handed starting pitcher.

Barring a considerable improvement, Cruz could find himself in a platoon role this season. The Pirates have far more outfield competition than last year after adding the right-handed Jhostynxon Garcia and switch-hitting Jake Mangum. Free-agent signing Marcell Ozuna should at least lock down the designated hitter spot against lefties.

However, that’s not the only significant issue Cruz must address. He also must improve his glove work after registering minus-14 defensive runs saved in his first season as a center fielder.

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Cruz has worked with four-time Gold Glove winner Kevin Kiermaier, who told MLB Network last week that the 27-year-old is an athletic “freak” who can flourish if he locks in mentally.

More MLB: Pirates Place Promising Young Pitcher On 60-Day Injured List

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