José Cruz #68

His favorite number is 15 to honor his best friend who always said he wanted to wear #15. The friend, Henry Mateo Jr., son of former MLB’er Henry Mateo, passed away in 2016 while undergoing open heart surgery. Likes bachata music and is learning to how to dance to bachata. He also enjoys dembow music. Has two dogs, both Chihuahuas.

2023

Dominated High-A to start the year, posting a 1.45 ERA (3er, 18.2ip) with 28 strikeouts in 13 games. Logged a 6.66 ERA with 38 walks in 44.1 innings over 23 games after a promotion to Double-A. Was non-tendered and became a free agent on Nov. 17...Cruz re-signed a Minor League contract with the Giants on Nov. 20, 2023. 

2022

Spent the year with Single-A San Jose and posted a 2-1 record with a 2.06 ERA (12er, 52.1ip) over 38 relief appearances...Was named a California League Post-Season All-Star...Struck out 86 batters over his 52.1 innings of work...averaged 14.79 strikeouts per 9.0 innings...Held opponents to a .119 average against...lefties hit .098 off him, while right-handers hit .130...Posted a 0.84 WHIP, the lowest of his young career...Allowed one run and only seven hits over his final 14 appearances of the year (21.2 innings)…struck out 30 in that span while walking nine.