Cruz no pinch quitter
BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
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SARASOTA, Fla. - Jacob Cruz watched the transaction list and watched as his job security was chipped away.
"They signed every left-handed hitter from Japan to Latin America - literally," Cruz said.
And parts elsewhere, he might have added.
New Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky signed Scott Hatteberg, Timo Perez, Tuffy Rhodes and Quinton McCracken in the days before spring training.
All are left-handed hitters with the exception of McCracken, who is a switch-hitter.
Cruz understands.
"Job security for a pinch hitter doesn't exist," Cruz said, "except for guys like Lenny Harris and John Vander Wal."
Case in point: Cruz is in camp on a minor-league contract for the fourth straight year, even though he spent almost all of the last two seasons in the big leagues.
"It's the same every year," he said. "Great year, good luck next year."
Cruz did have a great year by pinch-hitting standards. He set the Reds' franchise record with 20 pinch-hits. He also led the major leagues in pinch hits. He tied Tony Clark and Alex Cintron, both of Arizona, for the major-league lead with three pinch-hit home runs.
Reds manager Jerry Narron appreciates what Cruz can do.
"I know he can sit in that clubhouse for a week, then give us a good at-bat," Narron said. "As far as knowing his role and staying ready, he's outstanding."
Most of Cruz's at-bats came as a pinch-hitter last season. He was 20-for-76 (.263) with three homers and 11 RBI as a pinch hitter. He was 10-for-51 (.196) with a home run and seven RBI in his other at-bats. Cruz made only 13 starts on the year.
Still, as Narron said, Cruz manages to stay sharp.
"I just keep hitting," he said. "I'll hit in the cage during the game. I'll go down to the bullpen to watch guys warm up. I'll stand in against guys to keep my eyes sharp."
"Anything I can do to simulate at-bats," added Cruz.
Cruz, 33, was once a hot prospect. The San Francisco Giants picked him 32nd overall in the 1993 draft after an All-American career at Arizona State.
Cruz led the Pacific Coast League in hitting (.361) in 1997.
But he has never been a regular in the big leagues. The 147 at-bats he got in 2004 with the Reds were a career-high.
Each spring Cruz gets all the at-bats he wants. He was not on the Reds' trip to Tampa to play the New York Yankees on Saturday. Missing a spring road game is a rarity for him.
"First time ever," he said. "It felt weird. I thought I was fired."
Cruz keeps his humor. He is one of the easiest-going, approachable players in the Reds clubhouse. Spanish is his first language but his English is flawless, so he often helps Latin players with life issues.
Cruz probably will find a job elsewhere if things don't work out with the Reds.
"I don't think that far in advance," he said. "I just go day-by-day. You've got 40, 50 at-bats to prove yourself in spring. It's a tough gig."
Cruz is off to a good start. He had three hits and four walks in his first three spring games.
Cruz's disadvantage is Hatteberg is on a major league contract, so he's safe. McCracken and Perez can do more things as far as defense and baserunning. Rhodes showed great power in his 10 years in Japan.
Cruz's advantage is Narron knows what he can do.
"He's going to give you a good at-bat every time," Narron said.
That will often do in a pinch.
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