On Monday June 20, 2022 the Pirates called up their 3rd ranked prospect O’Neil Cruz and outfielder Bligh Madris to the big leagues to make their debuts. While this wasn’t Cruz’s MLB debut, it was Madris’ major league debut but that didn’t seem to matter to him. Nor did the fact that he was completely over shadowed by Cruz. In their debuts on Monday against the Cubs both played huge rules in the 12-1 victory over the struggling Cubs that have found themselves in fourth place in the N.L. Central. But the talk of the week has been the first (and second) impressions of the Cruz and Madris (not to mention all the other rookies the Pirates have called upon this season due to injury). In his first four games played with the Pirates Cruz has had 18 at bats and has produced four hits, four runs, and seven RBIs. In his debut on Monday, he drove in 4 runs and three of them were when the bases were loaded. While he was credited on with a double, he tried for third base but was called out. Much to the crowd’s delight the 11,000 in attendee gave him a standing ovation as he walked slowly back to the dugout.

            While much of the attention was on Cruz, Bligh Madris has made presence known in his short time in Pittsburgh. In his first four games he’s had 17 at bats that has featured 6 RBIs and a home run respectively. Both players have also shown their defensive capabilities as well. Madris made a difficult grab on Tuesday in foul territory, sliding and falling to make the catch. O’Neil Cruz threw a ball 97 MPH from the shortstop position all the way to first. So, both have made a positive effect on the team both on offense and defense.

            One issue facing the Pirates now is what to do with both once some of the veterans who are injured come back. The most logical option is to send them both back down to Triple-A Indianapolis. Even though all of the rookies have had decent impressions there is only room for so many. There is no doubt that the Pirates will put their Opening Day starter back in the field once they come back which means some tough decisions will be made soon.

            Another question is if Cruz will play shortstop his whole career or will he move around to different positions due to the Pirates having some talented shortstops coming through the minor league system. There is talk to put him in the outfield because of the strength of his arm. There is also talk to put him at first base, but the chances of that happening are probably zero since you don’t want to waste that arm at first base. Regardless of where he is put Cruz will have a huge presence (both literally and figuratively) in the Pirates future. When the rest of the up-and-coming prospects reach the big leagues the crowd at PNC Park could be filled with more Cruz and Henry Davis jerseys than Clemente and Stargell. Not that there’s anything wrong with celebrating the history of the Pirates.