Luis Alfonso Cruz

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Diego Padres #20 prospect in 2007
  It has taken Cruz six minor league seasons, two organizations and two seasons in Double- A to find even the modest level of offensive success he attained last year. Acquired from the Red Sox in a December 2002 trade for Cesar Crespo, Cruz finished third in the Double-A Southern League in doubles and fourth in extra-base hits (50), and was selected to play in both the SL all-star game and the Futures Game. The Padres noticed a distinct improvement in his work habits when he returned from the Mexican Pacific League in the 2005 offseason. Cruz is the system's top defensive infielder with the hands, range, quick feet and arm strength to play anywhere on the infield. Most of his minor league career has been spent at shortstop, but that changed last season when he spent a lot of time playing second and third base in deference to Juan Ciriaco. Cruz makes it look very easy defensively, though he did commit 29 errors because of erratic throwing. Cruz has surprising pop but remains a streaky hitter because his plate discipline needs a lot of refinement. He can catch up with any fastball, but struggles against quality breaking balls. He's an average runner. If Cruz continues to hit, he projects at worst as a utility infielder at the major league level. He's ready for Triple-A.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #27 prospect in 2005
  Originally signed by the Red Sox, Cruz was one of the youngest everyday players in high Class A last year, and he showed marked improvement in his all-around game. Cruz is a defensive whiz, with plus range, a solid arm and remarkably quick hands and feet. He takes an aggressive, contact-oriented approach to the plate, and while he rarely strikes out, he does have gap power. He offers little in the way of projection offensively, however, and too often chases balls out of the zone. Already an average runner at best, he has a thick lower half, leaving a concern that he'll lose quickness as his body matures. Cruz has seen limited time at second base and third in the past two seasons and looked good at both positions, so he projects as a defense-first utilityman in the majors. He'll spend the 2005 season at Mobile, a far different hitter's environment from Lake Elsinore, which should present a significant challenge to his offensive game.