Every Oneil Cruz home run is appointment viewing, mostly because you never know what the left-handed slugger is about to do in the batter’s box. Could it be an absolute tank, or will it have an exit velocity that’ll make your jaw drop?
Anything goes for the 27-year-old when he’s feeling good and gets a pitch he can truly do damage with. That’s why I want to keep track of what he does in the power department all year long.
Every time a Cruz Missile gets launched, I’ll update this article with all the pertinent information, including the date, opponent, distance, and exit velocity.
Related: A Complete Guide to Single-Season (& Single-Game) HR Performances
Oneil Cruz’s Place in Pirates Home Run History
While Cruz’s home runs get a lot of attention around the internet thanks to how hard he actually makes contact, he has quite a way to go on the Pirates’ all-time home run leaderboard. Entering the 2026 season, the center fielder had hit 60 career homers across parts of five seasons. That includes a pair of 20-homer campaigns in 2024 and 2025.
He won’t become arbitration-eligible until 2027 and isn’t scheduled to hit free agency until 2029, so the idea of hitting the century mark — or even pushing 150 career homers — as a Pirate is very much in play.
Oneil Cruz Home Run History By Season
Cruz had the smallest cup of coffee when it came to big-league action upon making his debut in 2019. He appeared in just two games (nine plate appearances) before appearing in 87 games the following season. It’s worth noting that he didn’t rack up 130-plus games in a season until 2024.
That’s a benchmark he’s reached in two straight seasons and will hope to do again in 2026. Here’s what Cruz’s yearly home run totals have looked like since his debut:
- 2021: 1
- 2022: 17
- 2023: 1
- 2024: 21
- 2025: 20
Before Opening Day, ZiPS projected Cruz for 23 home runs in 2026, which would be a new single-season career-high mark for the slugger. A hot start in the batter’s box for Pittsburgh has him primed to pass that number if he can stay healthy and on the field. How many taters do you think he’ll end up with this year?
2026 Oneil Cruz Home Run Tracker
Home Run No. 1: March 31 vs. Cincinnati Reds
Distance: 444 feet
Exit Velocity: 111.1 mph
#MLBenSala ⚾️ ¡444 pies!
Así llega el primer "Misil Cruz" de la temporada cortesía de Oneil Cruz. pic.twitter.com/Bi7rvklne9
— LA SALA DEPORTIVA (@LaSalaDeportiva) April 1, 2026
Home Run No. 2: March 31 vs. Cincinnati Reds
Distance: 403 feet
Exit Velocity: 108.1 mph
Oneil Cruz two-homer game 🚀 pic.twitter.com/nynFqjuDf4
— MLB (@MLB) April 1, 2026
Home Run No. 3: April 1 vs. Cincinnati Reds
Distance: 407 feet
Exit Velocity: 107.4 mph
Oneil Cruz makes up for Opening Day by giving Paul Skenes a three-run cushion pic.twitter.com/tSuB1GB8hB
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 1, 2026
Home Run No. 4: April 5 vs. Baltimore Orioles
Distance: 415 feet
Exit Velocity: 107.2 mph
Oneil Cruz lines a two-run shot to straightaway center 🚀 pic.twitter.com/p1NfbwJSrH
— MLB (@MLB) April 5, 2026
Home Run No. 5: April 12 vs. Chicago Cubs
Distance: 422 feet
Exit Velocity: 111.0 mph
HR number 🖐 and extends his hit streak to 1️⃣1️⃣ games! https://t.co/dcsH5MZIub pic.twitter.com/MCfBIkVGKs
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 12, 2026
Home Run No. 6: April 17 vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Distance: 385 feet
Exit Velocity: 103.3 mph
Oneil Cruz go-ahead homer! pic.twitter.com/hMLwD4Zt39
— MLB (@MLB) April 18, 2026
Home Run No. 7: April 22 vs. Texas Rangers
Distance: 432 feet
Exit Velocity: 116.9 mph
Even Cruz homers are bigger in Texas ‼️ pic.twitter.com/d7RvGHbkwE
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 23, 2026
Home Run No. 8: April 23 vs. Texas Rangers
Distance: 415 feet
Exit Velocity: 107.5 mph
¡Jonrón # 8⃣ de la temporada para Oneil Cruz! pic.twitter.com/bSN2onfIu5
— Los Piratas (@piratasbeisbol) April 24, 2026
Home Run No. 9: April 28 vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Distance: 414 feet
Exit Velocity: 106.6 mph
PIT – Oneil Cruz Solo HR (9)
📏 414 ft | 💨 106.6 mph | 📐 28°
⚾️ 93.2 mph four-seam fastball (STL – RHP Kyle Leahy)
🏟️ Out in 23/30 parksSTL (6) @ PIT (1)
🔻 6th#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/GJQIHnf2dy— MLB Home Runs (@MLBHRs_) April 29, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many home runs has Oneil Cruz hit in his career?
Entering the 2026 season, Oneil Cruz has hit 60 career home runs across parts of five MLB seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
What is Oneil Cruz’s single-season career-high mark for home runs?
Cruz set a new career high with 21 home runs during the 2024 season, which also broke the Pirates’ franchise record for home runs by a shortstop in a single season. That had stood since Arky Vaughan hit 19 in 1935.
How many home runs is Oneil Cruz projected to hit in 2026?
ZiPS projected Cruz for 23 home runs before the 2026 season, which would be a new single-season career high if he reaches it.
What position does Oneil Cruz play in 2026?
Cruz is playing center field for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2026, having fully transitioned from shortstop at the start of the 2025 season.
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