Nelson Cruz (cruzne02)

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Nelson Ramon Cruz

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 225 lb.

Debut September 17, 2005

Born July 1, 1980 in Monte Cristi D.R.

BR page

1 Biographical Information
2 Notable Achievements
3 Sources
4 Related Sites

[edit] Biographical Information

Nelson Cruz was on two Caribbean Series winners in a row. In MLB, he is the property of the Texas Rangers, and won the Rangers' staring right field job in 2007. He had a disappointing season, however, hitting .235 with 9 home runs in 307 at-bats and was sent back to AAA in in 2008. There he had an outstanding season for the Oklahoma RedHawks and was named the Pacific Coast League's Most Valuable Player. His Dominican League manager, Felix Fermin, has been quoted as saying: "He's serious, and most important, he is a hard worker, ... very dedicated to his profession. He won't make the Rangers organization look bad if he is given the opportunity."

Cruz came to Texas from the Milwaukee Brewers at the trade deadline in 2006. He hit .223 with six homers and 22 RBIs, playing 41 games for Texas. He played from 1998 to 2000 for a summer league team in the Dominican, before spending 4 seasons in the Oakland Athletics minor-league system. Acquired by Milwaukee before 2005, he was called up that year and batted .200 in 8 games. He was Milwaukee's Minor League Player of the Year in 2005. In 2006 he hit .302 with 22 doubles, 20 home runs, 73 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 104 Minor League games for the Brewers. Cruz creditted Ranger coach Rudy Jaramillo with helping him improve during the winter of 2006-2007. The pair worked on shortening Cruz's swing, patience at the plate and situational hitting. The Rangers planned for him to become an everyday player on the Major League level, but it did not take.

In the 2008 Caribbean Series, Cruz led the Tigres del Licey in average, hitting .407/.429/.667 to help them to a title. In AAA that year, he hit .342/.429/.695 with 37 home runs and 99 RBI in 103 games on his way to the MVP title. He led the PCL in slugging, was third in average, was second to Brian Myrow in OBP, was second to Dallas McPherson in homers and was third with 24 steals, trailing Andres Torres and Tim Raines Jr.

He continued hitting well with the 2008 Rangers, putting him once again in the picture for a full-time job in the outfield.

Cruz was the left fielder for the disappointing 1-2 Dominican Republic entry in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He was one of their better performers, going 3 for 11 with 2 walks and a homer, the long ball coming off Manuel Corpas in their win over Panama. This good form carried over into the 2009 regular season, as Cruz showed excellent power, earning a spot on the All-Star team by having 22 homers at the break. He made the final of the Home Run Derby, losing out to Prince Fielder.