Yovanny Cruz   Pitcher

       
 
Born: August 23, 1999
Birthplace: San Francisco de Macoris, DR
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
   
Drafted: Not draft eligible
How Acquired: Minor league free agent (Jan. 2025)
   

Photo © SoxProspects, LLC
Pronunciation: YO-vahn-ee
First Pro Contract: August 29, 2016 (CLE)
Signing Scouts: Jose Estevez, Gian Guzman & Jose Serra
Signing Bonus: $60,000
   
Pro Debut: June 3, 2017 (DSL Cubs)
MLB Debut: -
   
Twitter: -
Instagram: @ycruz_96

Signed a minor league deal with New York (AL) (Nov. 2025)
 
 
 
 
 
     
  Scouting Report & Links      
         
  Physical Description: Tall, filled out frame with no remaining projection.

Mechanics: Throws from a three-quarters arm slot starting on the first base side. Arm-heavy delivery. Short arm action with a hook behind. Quick arm. Average deception.

Fastball: 98-100 mph. Premium velocity. Well below-average command and control.

Breaking Ball: 85-89 mph. Looks like two breaking balls, a slider in the high-80s and more sweeperish pitch at 85-86 mph.

Changeup: 92-93 mph. Show-me pitch that he rarely uses. Did not use it during outings scouted in Spring Training 2025.
  Career Notes: Spent seven seasons in the Cubs system. After the canceled 2020 season, missed 2021 due to injury. Signed a minor league contract with the Padres in November 2023. Signed with Boston in January 2025 with an invitation to MLB spring training.

Summation: Potential minor league depth arm with upside due to premium velocity. Intriguing lottery ticket minor league free agent because of his velocity. Has really struggled to consistently throw strikes in his career, but if he can improve in that area, could develop into an intriguing arm.

Note: This page will be updated with a complete scouting report after the scouting team has seen the player in regular season game action.

Links
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    Pitching Stats                                          
  year team lg level org age w l era g gs sv ip h r er hr hbp bb so whip k/9 bb/9
2017 DSL Cubs Dsl Rk ChC 17 3 2 3.51 13 12 0 56.1 50 32 22 3 0 14 54 1.14 8.63 2.24
  2018 AZL Cubs Ariz Rk ChC 18 4 2 2.86 10 10 0 44.0 36 18 14 1 3 13 50 1.11 10.23 2.66
  2018 Eugene Emeralds Nwst A- ChC 18 1 0 0.00 1 1 0 5.0 4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0.80 9.00 0.00
  2019 AZL Cubs Ariz Rk ChC 19 0 0 4.00 4 4 0 9.0 7 4 4 0 1 7 7 1.56 7.00 7.00
  2019 Eugene Emeralds Nwst A- ChC 19 1 2 7.98 5 3 0 14.2 13 17 13 3 2 12 21 1.70 12.89 7.36
  2020 Season Canceled --- --- ChC 20 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2021 DNP - Injured --- --- ChC 21 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
  2022 ACL Cubs ACL Rk ChC 22 1 0 5.06 3 0 0 5.1 4 3 3 1 1 0 13 0.75 21.94 0.00
  2022 South Bend Cubs Midw A+ ChC 22 0 0 3.24 7 0 0 8.1 9 4 3 1 1 2 7 1.32 7.56 2.16
  2023 ACL Cubs ACL Rk ChC 23 0 0 0.00 2 0 0 2.0 1 1 0 0 0 1 2 1.00 9.00 4.50
  2023 South Bend Cubs Midw A+ ChC 23 0 1 1.89 14 0 0 19.0 14 5 4 0 2 10 22 1.26 10.42 4.74
  2024 San Antonio Missions Tex AA SD 24 1 2 4.55 23 0 1 29.2 36 17 15 2 7 16 35 1.75 10.62 4.85
2025 Portland Sea Dogs East AA Bos 25 2 4 3.03 34 0 6 59.1 34 24 20 5 6 44 72 1.31 10.92 6.67
   
     
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