Humberto Cruz

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #4 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme.
  
  Track Record: Cruz was the pitching headliner of the Padres’ 2024 international class. Needing more pool space to acquire him, San Diego traded 2023 12th-rounder Blake Dickerson to the Tigers to acquire the bonus pool money needed to push Cruz’s $750,000 deal over the finish line. Cruz made two one-inning starts in 2024 in the Arizona Complex League, where he did not allow a run and struck out a pair.
  
  Scouting Report: The 6-foot-1 Cruz has a high-waisted, athletic build and plenty of room to add physicality, which shouldn’t be too tall of a task given his youth. He has an athletic delivery with plenty of arm speed and features a fastball, slider and changeup. Cruz’s fastball was up to 93 mph prior to his signing, but in his pro debut it was clocked as high as 97 mph. In addition to his lively heater, Cruz spins a tight, low-to-mid-80s slider that has posted spin rates in the 2,400-2,500 rpm range, as well as a changeup which gets solid separation off his fastball and flashes plenty of fade to his arm side. On top of his intriguing three-pitch mix, Cruz has also shown above-average pitchability and is consistently around the strike zone. He can generate plenty of whiffs with all three of his pitches and has middle-of-the-rotation upside.
  
  The Future: While Cruz’s upside is exciting, there is no reason to rush him through the minor leagues. He will pitch the entire 2025 season as an 18-year-old and likely projects to begin the year in extended spring training and possibly the ACL. The Padres have shown they aren’t shy about sending 17- or 18-year-olds to full-season affiliates, so expect Cruz to reach Low-A Lake Elsinore at some point in 2025. His big league debut is still many years away and figures to not be until at least 2028.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55