Prospect Spotlight: Trei Cruz

The 2020 draft class produced some intriguing prospects, and Trei Cruz is one of them. He’s got ‘3s’ going for him: he’s a 3rd generation player, drafted 3 times, the latest in the 3rd round, played 3 years at Rice University, he plays 3 infield positions and, of course, his name ‘Trei’ means 3 in Spanish. Aside from that, Cruz is one talented ballplayer.

Cruz is the grandson of José Cruz (19 year Major Leaguer), and the son of José Cruz, Jr. (12 year Major Leaguer.) Trei has yet to play an inning in professional baseball, but he obviously inherited athletic ability from his Dad and Grandfather, enough that over the past 3 years, 3 Major League teams drafted him. 

He was a star at Episcopal High School (Bellaire, Texas), and in 2017, the Astros drafted him in the 35th round. Cruz followed his Dad instead, heading to Rice University in Houston, where he was a 3 year starter. Over 132 games at Rice, Cruz hit .296/.405, with 151 hits, 31 doubles, 8 triples, 16 home runs, playing 2nd, SS, and some 3B during summer collegiate leagues.

In 2019, the Washington Nationals picked him in the 37th round, but the versatile, hard-hitting infielder chose to return to Rice for the 2020 season. Drafted for the 3rd time, this time by the Detroit Tigers (where his Dad is now an assistant hitting coach), he was their 3rd round pick (127th overall.) Because that year’s minor league season was canceled, Cruz played 25 games in a summer league, in anticipation of what should be his first pro season in 2021. 

Trei has a lot of family history to compete with and so far, he’s doing well to make a name for himself and to make his family proud. He’s already the Tigers #27 top prospect, and he looks to climb the organizational ladder. This year, he will likely start with the Low-A Lakeland Flying Tigers, with a chance to move up to the High-A West Michigan Whitecaps. 

-----------------

Larry writes books. You can buy these books!