Nelson Cruz
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Nelson Cruz (born July 1, 1980 in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic) is an outfielder in the Texas Rangers organization.
Cruz was acquired by the Rangers from the Milwaukee Brewers on July 28, 2006 along with slugging outfielder Carlos Lee in exchange for Laynce Nix, Kevin Mench, Francisco Cordero, and Minor League pitcher Julian Cordero. He had spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons in the Brewers organization with the Double-A Huntsville Stars, the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, and briefly in September of 2005, the Major League Brewers.
Before joining the Brewers organization, Cruz played in the Oakland Athletics system. The Brewers acquired him from Oakland along with pitcher Justin Lehr in exchange for infielder Keith Ginter on December 16, 2004. He was initially signed as a free agent by the New York Mets, who traded him to Oakland for Jorge Velandia on August 30, 2000, after three years in the Dominican Summer League.
On August 16, 2006, in his first at bat with the bases loaded, Cruz hit his first grand slam of his career.
On September 4, 2006, against his former Athletics at home, Cruz hit an inside the park homerun in which his bat broke on impact.
In spring training for the 2007 season, Cruz got off to a rough start, but finished strong by hitting 3 homeruns in the final week, including a walk-off homerun in the final game of spring training. His above average defense and undeniable raw power have won him a position as the Rangers every day right fielder.
[edit] Career Statistics
| Games | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 35 | 82 | 7 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 0 | .195 |
