Jacob Cruz
Born: 1/28/1973 in Oxnard, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1996-07-18 | Final Game: 2005-10-02
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 175 lbs
Biography
Jacob Cruz, born in 1973, was a professional baseball player who had a career spanning from 1996 to 2005. Primarily known for his role as a position player, Cruz appeared in a total of 409 games throughout his time in Major League Baseball. He showcased a blend of power and speed, finishing his career with 176 hits, 19 home runs, and 105 RBIs, while maintaining a batting average of .241. He also contributed on the base paths with 4 stolen bases, demonstrating a capacity for both hitting and base running.
Cruz played during a dynamic era of baseball characterized by significant changes in the game, including the rise of power-hitting and an increasing emphasis on offensive production. Despite not being a household name, his contributions were notable for teams such as the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers. Cruz's professional journey reflected the challenges of competing in a league filled with talent, and he left a mark as a versatile player who provided depth and experience to his teams during his tenure.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 409 | 729 | 95 | 176 | 38 | 2 | 19 | 105 | 4 | 85 | 207 | 0.241 | 0.331 | 0.377 | 0.708 | -528.8 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | SFG | NL | 33 | 77 | 10 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 24 | 0.234 | -10.5 |
| 1997 | SFG | NL | 16 | 25 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0.160 | 0.0 |
| 1998 | CLE | AL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1998 | SFG | NL | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1999 | CLE | AL | 32 | 88 | 14 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 0.330 | 188.1 |
| 2000 | CLE | AL | 11 | 29 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 0.241 | 0.0 |
| 2001 | CLE | AL | 28 | 68 | 12 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 23 | 0.221 | -66.1 |
| 2001 | COL | NL | 44 | 76 | 7 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 27 | 0.211 | -66.1 |
| 2002 | DET | AL | 35 | 88 | 12 | 24 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 13 | 20 | 0.273 | 96.5 |
| 2004 | CIN | NL | 96 | 147 | 22 | 33 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 28 | 0 | 16 | 43 | 0.224 | -356.4 |
| 2005 | CIN | NL | 110 | 127 | 12 | 30 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 16 | 46 | 0.236 | -48.2 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 15 | 5 | 51 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| OF | 174 | 117 | 244 | 7 | 6 | 3 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | SFN | OF | 23 | 20 | 41 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 | SFN | OF | 11 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1999 | CLE | OF | 24 | 18 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | CLE | OF | 9 | 6 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2001 | CLE | OF | 22 | 13 | 40 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 | COL | OF | 24 | 17 | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2002 | DET | 1B | 4 | 2 | 26 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2002 | DET | OF | 12 | 10 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 | CIN | 1B | 6 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2004 | CIN | OF | 29 | 19 | 36 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | CIN | 1B | 5 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2005 | CIN | OF | 20 | 10 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 15 |
| Left Field | 56 |
| Center Field | 39 |
| Right Field | 87 |
| Designated Hitter | 22 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | CIN | NL | $500,000 |
| 2002 | DET | AL | $400,000 |
| 2001 | CLE | AL | $230,000 |
| 2000 | CLE | AL | $227,500 |
| 1999 | CLE | AL | $205,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $1,562,500 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Tempe | AZ | 1992, 1993, 1994 |