Jose De La Cruz

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #29 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
  
  Track Record: De La Cruz was a $1.8 million signing in 2018. He dazzled in his Dominican Summer League debut, slashing .307/.375/.556 with 11 home runs. That production has yet to make the trip to the States. In each of the past two seasons he has failed to hit .210 or post a .300 on-base percentage. He did hit 11 home runs in 2022.
  
  Scouting Report: De La Cruz has drawn praise for his all-out style of play and despite his rough stat lines, there's still plenty of power potential. De La Cruz produces hard contact, thanks to his plus bat speed. But his 38% strikeout rate in the past two seasons has so far kept him from utilizing that plus power as much as he and the Tigers would hope. He struggles against righthanders. Defensively, De La Cruz boasts plus speed and a plus arm, which profiles well across the outfield. His power potential probably fits best in right field where he can continue to get bigger and stronger.
  
  The Future: De La Cruz did show improvements in 2022, even if he still has a long ways to go at the plate. He should reach High-A West Michigan in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #23 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: De la Cruz’s $1.8 million bonus was the largest of any Tigers 2018 international signing. He dazzled in his Dominican Summer League debut the next summer, slashing .307/.375/.556 with 11 home runs. He impressed again in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League in 2021, earning a promotion to Low-A Lakeland, where he hit .127 in 39 games.
  
  Scouting Report: De la Cruz has drawn praise for his all-out style of play and intriguing mix of tools. He has the ability to produce hard contact thanks to his plus bat speed, but it comes with plenty of swing-and-miss. De la Cruz’s strikeout rates hovered around 30% in rookie ball and ballooned to 46.8% in his first taste of Low-A. Still, De la Cruz was just 19 years old and some scouts are optimistic he’ll cut that number down with more reps. Defensively, De la Cruz boasts plus speed and a plus arm, which profiles well across the outfield. Some scouts seem to believe right field could be the best fit for him as he fills out.
  
  The Future: After getting his feet wet with Lakeland in 2021, De la Cruz’s chances of advancing depend strongly on cutting his strikeout rate.
  
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #30 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: The Tigers signed de la Cruz for $1.8 million, the largest bonus in their 2018 international class, then watched as he put together a stellar pro debut in the Dominican Summer League the following year. De la Cruz's 11 home runs placed him in a three-way tie for the DSL lead, and the Tigers brought him to the U.S. for instructional league in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: De la Cruz is an aggressive player in all facets of the game. He has plus bat speed, swings often and makes hard contact when he connects, though he also swings and misses quite a bit. He struck out 30% of the time in the DSL and will have to manage that moving forward. De la Cruz's plus speed and plus arm allow him to profile at any of the three outfield positions. He plays center field for now but may shift to right field as he gets bigger and stronger.
  
  THE FUTURE: De la Cruz's future is tied to how much he can reduce his swings and misses. He'll start 2021 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #25 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: The Tigers spent aggressively during the 2018 international signing period and gave their largest bonus to De La Cruz, who signed for $1.85 million. He hit the ground running in the Dominican Summer League in his first taste of pro ball. The outfielder showed off his power as well, ending up in a three-way tie for the DSL lead in home runs with 11.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: De La Cruz has a mature skill set for a 17-year-old outfielder and plays the game hard. He has plus bat speed and makes loud contact with a chance to grow into plus power. There are questions surrounding his hit tool, as he has shown swing-and-miss tendencies against both fastballs and breaking pitches. De La Cruz should be a true center fielder due to his plus speed and arm. Even if he fills out, De La Cruz's arm and defensive prowess will fit in right field.
  
  THE FUTURE: If everything clicks, De La Cruz has the chance to be a power-hitting center fielder down the road. He'll move to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2020.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
  
  Track Record: De La Cruz was a $1.8 million signing in 2018. He dazzled in his Dominican Summer League debut, slashing .307/.375/.556 with 11 home runs. That production has yet to make the trip to the States. In each of the past two seasons he has failed to hit .210 or post a .300 on-base percentage. He did hit 11 home runs in 2022.
  
  Scouting Report: De La Cruz has drawn praise for his all-out style of play and despite his rough stat lines, there's still plenty of power potential. De La Cruz produces hard contact, thanks to his plus bat speed. But his 38% strikeout rate in the past two seasons has so far kept him from utilizing that plus power as much as he and the Tigers would hope. He struggles against righthanders. Defensively, De La Cruz boasts plus speed and a plus arm, which profiles well across the outfield. His power potential probably fits best in right field where he can continue to get bigger and stronger.
  
  The Future: De La Cruz did show improvements in 2022, even if he still has a long ways to go at the plate. He should reach High-A West Michigan in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
  
  Track Record: De La Cruz was a $1.8 million signing in 2018. He dazzled in his Dominican Summer League debut, slashing .307/.375/.556 with 11 home runs. That production has yet to make the trip to the States. In each of the past two seasons he has failed to hit .210 or post a .300 on-base percentage. He did hit 11 home runs in 2022.
  
  Scouting Report: De La Cruz has drawn praise for his all-out style of play and despite his rough stat lines, there's still plenty of power potential. De La Cruz produces hard contact, thanks to his plus bat speed. But his 38% strikeout rate in the past two seasons has so far kept him from utilizing that plus power as much as he and the Tigers would hope. He struggles against righthanders. Defensively, De La Cruz boasts plus speed and a plus arm, which profiles well across the outfield. His power potential probably fits best in right field where he can continue to get bigger and stronger.
  
  The Future: De La Cruz did show improvements in 2022, even if he still has a long ways to go at the plate. He should reach High-A West Michigan in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: De la Cruz&#39s $1.8 million bonus was the largest of any Tigers 2018 international signing. He dazzled in his Dominican Summer League debut the next summer, slashing .307/.375/.556 with 11 home runs. He impressed again in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League in 2021, earning a promotion to Low-A Lakeland, where he hit .127 in 39 games.
  
  Scouting Report: De la Cruz has drawn praise for his all-out style of play and intriguing mix of tools. He has the ability to produce hard contact thanks to his plus bat speed, but it comes with plenty of swing-and-miss. De la Cruz&#39s strikeout rates hovered around 30% in rookie ball and ballooned to 46.8% in his first taste of Low-A. Still, De la Cruz was just 19 years old and some scouts are optimistic he&#39ll cut that number down with more reps. Defensively, De la Cruz boasts plus speed and a plus arm, which profiles well across the outfield. Some scouts seem to believe right field could be the best fit for him as he fills out.
  
  The Future: After getting his feet wet with Lakeland in 2021, De la Cruz&#39s chances of advancing depend strongly on cutting his strikeout rate.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: De la Cruz’s $1.8 million bonus was the largest of any Tigers 2018 international signing. He dazzled in his Dominican Summer League debut the next summer, slashing .307/.375/.556 with 11 home runs. He impressed again in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League in 2021, earning a promotion to Low-A Lakeland, where he hit .127 in 39 games.
  
  Scouting Report: De la Cruz has drawn praise for his all-out style of play and intriguing mix of tools. He has the ability to produce hard contact thanks to his plus bat speed, but it comes with plenty of swing-and-miss. De la Cruz’s strikeout rates hovered around 30% in rookie ball and ballooned to 46.8% in his first taste of Low-A. Still, De la Cruz was just 19 years old and some scouts are optimistic he’ll cut that number down with more reps. Defensively, De la Cruz boasts plus speed and a plus arm, which profiles well across the outfield. Some scouts seem to believe right field could be the best fit for him as he fills out.
  
  The Future: After getting his feet wet with Lakeland in 2021, De la Cruz’s chances of advancing depend strongly on cutting his strikeout rate.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Tigers signed de la Cruz for $1.8 million, the largest bonus in their 2018 international class, then watched as he put together a stellar pro debut in the Dominican Summer League the following year. De la Cruz's 11 home runs placed him in a three-way tie for the DSL lead, and the Tigers brought him to the U.S. for instructional league in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: De la Cruz is an aggressive player in all facets of the game. He has plus bat speed, swings often and makes hard contact when he connects, though he also swings and misses quite a bit. He struck out 30% of the time in the DSL and will have to manage that moving forward. De la Cruz's plus speed and plus arm allow him to profile at any of the three outfield positions. He plays center field for now but may shift to right field as he gets bigger and stronger.
  
  THE FUTURE: De la Cruz's future is tied to how much he can reduce his swings and misses. He'll start 2021 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Tigers signed de la Cruz for $1.8 million, the largest bonus in their 2018 international class, then watched as he put together a stellar pro debut in the Dominican Summer League the following year. De la Cruz's 11 home runs placed him in a three-way tie for the DSL lead, and the Tigers brought him to the U.S. for instructional league in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: De la Cruz is an aggressive player in all facets of the game. He has plus bat speed, swings often and makes hard contact when he connects, though he also swings and misses quite a bit. He struck out 30% of the time in the DSL and will have to manage that moving forward. De la Cruz's plus speed and plus arm allow him to profile at any of the three outfield positions. He plays center field for now but may shift to right field as he gets bigger and stronger.
  
  THE FUTURE: De la Cruz's future is tied to how much he can reduce his swings and misses. He'll start 2021 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Tigers signed de la Cruz for $1.8 million, the largest bonus in their 2018 international class, then watched as he put together a stellar pro debut in the Dominican Summer League the following year. De la Cruz's 11 home runs placed him in a three-way tie for the DSL lead, and the Tigers brought him to the U.S. for instructional league in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: De la Cruz is an aggressive player in all facets of the game. He has plus bat speed, swings often and makes hard contact when he connects, though he also swings and misses quite a bit. He struck out 30% of the time in the DSL and will have to manage that moving forward. De la Cruz's plus speed and plus arm allow him to profile at any of the three outfield positions. He plays center field for now but may shift to right field as he gets bigger and stronger.
  
  THE FUTURE: De la Cruz's future is tied to how much he can reduce his swings and misses. He'll start 2021 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Tigers spent aggressively during the 2018 international signing period and gave their largest bonus to De La Cruz, who signed for $1.85 million. He hit the ground running in the Dominican Summer League in his first taste of pro ball. The outfielder showed off his power as well, ending up in a three-way tie for the DSL lead in home runs with 11.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: De La Cruz has a mature skill set for a 17-year-old outfielder and plays the game hard. He has plus bat speed and makes loud contact with a chance to grow into plus power. There are questions surrounding his hit tool, as he has shown swing-and-miss tendencies against both fastballs and breaking pitches. De La Cruz should be a true center fielder due to his plus speed and arm. Even if he fills out, De La Cruz's arm and defensive prowess will fit in right field.
  
  THE FUTURE: If everything clicks, De La Cruz has the chance to be a power-hitting center fielder down the road. He'll move to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2020.