Oneil Cruz has all the tools you look for in an outfielder who should be a dominant player not only in fantasy but also in real life. The physical tools jump off the page, and he has an odd mixture of power and speed that translates to strong numbers in homers and steals. But for some reason, he just can’t seem to put it all together.
The 2025 season was the best example of that. Cruz hit 20 homers and set a career-high mark with 38 stolen bases in 2025, but he also became the first player in the history of baseball to achieve those numbers while hitting below .230. After hitting .200 with a .676 OPS in 135 games in 2025, it’s clear that Cruz should have had a better season than he did, especially after looking at his power and speed numbers.
Will Cruz be able to turn things around in 2026 and finally deliver the season most fantasy managers expect out of a player with his potential? Or will he remain an underwhelming player who can’t scratch the surface of his talent?
What to Expect From Oneil Cruz in 2026 Fantasy Baseball
There’s no question that Cruz has two clear strengths in his game. He can hit the ball as hard as anyone in the game, and there are few players with better instincts and explosiveness on the basepaths.
After all, Cruz had 20 homers, 18 doubles, three triples and went 38-for-43 in steal attempts in 2025. Those numbers would be an excellent starting point in fantasy if Cruz would be able to hit at an average level.
However, he hasn’t hit above .260 in any of his full seasons in the majors, and his .200 average and .676 OPS were career-worst marks for him. Posting a .676 OPS with a .178 ISO means there’s little else but power in his game, and Cruz won’t be able to make a consistent impact on offense if he struggles to hit as much as he did in 2025.
Part of his struggles can be attributed to a .262 BABIP, but it’s hard to justify a .200 average and a .298 on-base percentage in a player who had 20 homers and 61 RBI in 135 games.
Cruz’s fantasy appeal will be determined not only by his bat but by his ability to make contact on a steady basis. If he manages to increase his average to around .230 or .240, he might be able to carve out a steady role as a fantasy starter due to his power and speed. But if he continues to struggle to make contact, his fantasy appeal will continue to trend in the wrong direction like it did in 2025.
In terms of tiers, Cruz still ranks as a top-30 outfielder by most experts, so he’s still seen as a fantasy starter. However, another subpar season as a hitter will cause him to lose that privilege.
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