Naykel Cruz

Naykel Yoel Cruz Saldivar also listed as Zaldivar

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 185 lb.

• Born September 29, 1999 in Matanzas, Matanzas Cuba

BR register page

Biographical Information

Naykel Cruz has pitched in Cuba and Mexico.

Cruz debuted with the Cocodrilos de Matanzas in 2019-2020, going 1-1 with a 5.96 ERA; he walked 16 in 22 2/3 IP. He had a 4.91 ERA in the postseason. In 2020-2021, he had a 6-4, 5.12 record. He was 1-0 with a save and a 3.68 ERA in the postseason as Matanzas fell just short of a title.

In the 2021 Caribbean Baseball Cup, he was on the second-place Cuban squad. He was 2-1 with a 4.59 ERA in the 2021 U-23 Baseball World Cup, striking out 15 in 10 2/3 IP. Only Wikelman Ramirez had more wins, while Cruz tied Dilmer Mejía for the most whiffs. He was 2-0 in the 2021 Junior Pan American Games, allowing three hits in 11 2/3 shutout innings and striking out 18, beating Brazil and Venezuela. He tied for the most wins, led in ERA and easily led in Ks (10 more than runner-up Jose Geraldo).

Moving to more of a relief role, he was 5-3 with two saves and a 3.74 ERA in 2021-2022, walking 45 in 65 innings. He was 2-0 with a save and a 2.25 ERA in the postseason. He was 0-2 with a 9.82 ERA and 2.64 ERA in 7 rough games that summer for the Piratas de Campeche. In the 2022 U-23 Baseball World Cup, he was 0-1, allowing 3 runs (1 earned) in 7 innings. He was 2-0 with a 4.63 ERA in 2022-2023.

He made Cuba's squad for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.