Jacob Cruz
Encyclopedia
Jacob Antonio Cruz is a professional baseball player for the Potros de Tijuana
of the Mexican Baseball League
. Cruz, who is of Mexican American descent, played outfield
in Major League Baseball
from -. He bats and throws left-handed
.
, but did not sign; instead, choosing to play baseball for Arizona State University
. Cruz was drafted in the 1st round (32nd overall) of the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft
by the San Francisco Giants
, signing the next month.
, for most of the season, was traded to the Cleveland Indians
on July 23, 1998, along with Steve Reed
, for Shawon Dunston
, Jose Mesa
, and Alvin Morman
. Cruz would play one game for the Indians in and would spend the rest of the year playing for the Buffalo Bisons
, the Indians' Triple-A affiliate. On June 2, , the Indians traded Cruz to the Colorado Rockies
for Jody Gerut
and Josh Bard
. Cruz would play 44 games for the Rockies and 20 for their Triple-A affiliate, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
, before being released by the Rockies on November 30, 2001.
On December 21, 2001, Cruz signed with the Detroit Tigers
. Cruz played 35 games for the Tigers and was released on October 3, . On December 27, 2002, Cruz signed with the Cincinnati Reds
. He would spend the next three years in the Reds organization, including appearing in a career-high 110 games in . Released by the Reds on April 14, , Cruz signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets
on May 30, 2006. Cruz played 55 games for the Mets Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides
, the rest of the year and was granted free agency at the end of the season.
. Cruz had an excellent season with the Eagles, hitting .321 with 22 home run
s and 85 RBI
. Before the start of the season, Cruz signed with the Samsung Lions
. Cruz was cut by the Lions on May 23, 2008.
Potros de Tijuana
Los Potros de Tijuana were a AAA-level baseball team based in Tijuana, Baja California that played in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol...
of the Mexican Baseball League
Liga Mexicana de Beisbol
The Mexican League is a summer minor league baseball league with teams based across Mexico. Along with the International League and the Pacific Coast League, it is one of three leagues playing at the triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It is the only Minor League...
. Cruz, who is of Mexican American descent, played outfield
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
from -. He bats and throws left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
.
College
Cruz was drafted straight out of high school in by the California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, but did not sign; instead, choosing to play baseball for Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
. Cruz was drafted in the 1st round (32nd overall) of the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft
1994 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1994 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*A.J. Pierzynski , Minnesota Twins, 3rd round*Bobby Howry , San Francisco Giants, 5th round...
by the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, signing the next month.
Major League Baseball
Cruz would make his Major League debut on July 18, 1996. Cruz spent most of 1996 and in the Giants minor league system and after playing for the Giants Triple-A affiliate, the Fresno GrizzliesFresno Grizzlies
The Fresno Grizzlies are a minor league baseball team based in Fresno, California. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League , is the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club. The Grizzlies play in Chukchansi Park , located in downtown Fresno and built in 2002...
, for most of the season, was traded to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
on July 23, 1998, along with Steve Reed
Steve Reed (baseball player)
Steven Vincent Reed is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He went to Lewis-Clark State College...
, for Shawon Dunston
Shawon Dunston
Shawon Donnell Dunston is a former shortstop and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball. He resides in Fremont, CA. He was the first overall pick in the 1982 MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs, and played for the Cubs , San Francisco Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates , Cleveland Indians , St...
, Jose Mesa
José Mesa
José Ramón Nova Mesa [MAY-sah] is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. His nickname was "Joe Table," the literal translation of his name in the English language....
, and Alvin Morman
Alvin Morman
Alvin Morman is an American former Major League Baseball player. A pitcher, Morman played for the Houston Astros in 1996, Cleveland Indians in 1997 and 1998, San Francisco Giants also in 1998, and Kansas City Royals in 1999...
. Cruz would play one game for the Indians in and would spend the rest of the year playing for the Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
, the Indians' Triple-A affiliate. On June 2, , the Indians traded Cruz to the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
for Jody Gerut
Jody Gerut
Joseph Diego Gerut is a former Major League Baseball center fielder. He attended Jackson Middle School, Willowbrook High School, and later Stanford University...
and Josh Bard
Josh Bard
Joshua David Bard is an American professional baseball catcher and designated hitter who is a free agent. Bard is a switch-hitter who throws right-handed....
. Cruz would play 44 games for the Rockies and 20 for their Triple-A affiliate, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are a minor league baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team's colors are red and blue. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Colorado Rockies...
, before being released by the Rockies on November 30, 2001.
On December 21, 2001, Cruz signed with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. Cruz played 35 games for the Tigers and was released on October 3, . On December 27, 2002, Cruz signed with the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. He would spend the next three years in the Reds organization, including appearing in a career-high 110 games in . Released by the Reds on April 14, , Cruz signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
on May 30, 2006. Cruz played 55 games for the Mets Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
, the rest of the year and was granted free agency at the end of the season.
Korea
Before the start of the season, Cruz signed a contract with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korean Baseball OrganizationKorean Baseball Organization
Korea Professional Baseball is the highest level league of baseball in South Korea. The Korean romanization is Hanguk Peuro Yagu , a league title which mirrors Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. Korea Professional Baseball was originally founded with six teams in 1982 and currently has eight...
. Cruz had an excellent season with the Eagles, hitting .321 with 22 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 85 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
. Before the start of the season, Cruz signed with the Samsung Lions
Samsung Lions
Samsung Lions Baseball Club is a Korea Professional Baseball team founded in 1982. They are based in Daegu and are members of the Korean Baseball Organization. Their home stadium is Daegu Baseball Stadium...
. Cruz was cut by the Lions on May 23, 2008.