Fernando Cruz

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #13 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Cruz is a cousin of Starlin Castro, who signed with the Cubs in 2006, made his major league debut at 20 in 2010 and played shortstop in Chicago through 2015. Cruz is set to follow in Castro’s footsteps with the Cubs, signing on Jan. 15, 2024 for $4 million, the third-highest bonus for an international prospect in 2024.
  
  Scouting Report: Cruz separated himself as a top talent in the class early in the scouting process. He has strong hands and forearms, generating big bat speed and driving the ball with impressive impact especially for his size. Some scouts thought that power came with length to his swing that created contact troubles against live pitching, but Cruz has shown uncommon ability to hit for power the opposite way because he’s able to let the ball travel deep into the hitting zone or turn on the ball for extra-base damage. He’s a plus runner with slick actions at shortstop. Like a lot of young shortstops, he can get out of control at times, but his first-step quickness, hands, range and arm strength with a quick release all give him a good chance to stick at shortstop.
  
  The Future: Cruz will likely debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2024, with a chance to break out and become a top 10 prospect in the system if he performs well there.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60