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Pirates Breakout Star Draws Shocking Comparison To Barry Bonds originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Now in his sixth Major League season, Oneil Cruz finally seems to be putting it all together. The Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder is off to a fantastic start in his age-27 season, batting .292/.364/.551 with six home runs, 19 RBI and an NL-leading nine stolen bases through 22 games.
If he keeps it up, Cruz has a chance to become just the second player in Pirates history with 30 homers and 30 steals in the same season, joining Barry Bonds. At this pace, he might even threaten 40/40.
The comparison to Bonds is an interesting one, as Cruz has a similar profile with his speed and power. In fact, some of their numbers are eerily similar at the same point in their careers.
Through their first 1,652 career plate appearances, Cruz has 66 homers and 82 steals. Meanwhile, Bonds had 64 homers and 84 steals.
It's important to note that Bonds was four years younger at that point. He also has Cruz beat in most other categories, including WAR, hits and all three triple slash stats, plus Bonds was a much better defender.
Still, it's impressive to even be mentioned in the same breath as Bonds, who's arguably the greatest baseball player of all time. There may never be another player like him, but Cruz is the closest thing Pittsburgh's got these days.
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