Baseball is a "what have you done for me lately" business. One minute you're the leading home run hitter for the Miami Marlins, and the next, you're scratching and clawing for a roster spot on a minor league deal in Philadelphia. Honestly, the trajectory of Bryan De La Cruz over the last eighteen months is enough to give any fan whiplash. It’s a classic case of how quickly the league figures out a "streak" hitter and how hard it is to adjust back.
He’s currently 29. In baseball years, that's supposed to be the prime. But for De La Cruz, the start of 2026 feels more like a crossroads than a peak.
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The Miami Peak and the Pittsburgh Slide
You've probably forgotten that back in July 2024, Bryan De La Cruz was basically the only reason to watch the Marlins' offense. He was leading the team in home runs and RBI. When the Pittsburgh Pirates traded for him at the deadline—sending Jun-Seok Shim and Garret Forrester to Miami—the move was supposed to be the "missing piece" for a team desperate for outfield power.
It didn't happen. Not even close.
De La Cruz tanked in Pittsburgh. He slashed a brutal .200/.220/.294 across 44 games. That’s not just a slump; that’s a complete collapse of the plate discipline. The Pirates, who aren't exactly known for having a surplus of talent, saw enough to non-tender him by November. Think about that. A guy with 21 home runs in a season was essentially told "no thanks" by a team that finished under .500.
Why the Power Vanished
The metrics tell a story of a guy who simply stopped seeing the ball. His strikeout rate jumped, and his walk rate—never high to begin with—plummeted.
- 2024 Total Strikeouts: 170 in 149 games.
- Plate Discipline: A career-low .271 OBP in 2024.
- The "Chase" Problem: Pitchers realized he’d swing at anything low and away.
A Turbulent 2025: From Atlanta to the Bronx
After getting cut by Pittsburgh, De La Cruz spent 2025 as a professional suitcase. He signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves, which felt like a smart "buy low" move for Alex Anthopoulos. But the Braves' depth is a different beast.
He only got 16 games in Atlanta. He hit .191.
By May, the Braves moved on, and the New York Yankees claimed him off waivers. If you’re a Yankees fan, you might barely remember him being in the organization. He spent the bulk of the year in Triple-A with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. While he put up decent numbers in the minors, he never really cracked the Bronx outfield rotation. The Yankees designated him for assignment in July, and by October, he was a free agent again.
The 2026 Philadelphia Gamble
So, where is Bryan De La Cruz now?
In November 2025, he signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. It's a "Show Me" deal. He's currently invited to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee (NRI). Basically, he’s fighting for a bench spot or a Triple-A assignment at Lehigh Valley.
The Phillies' outfield has some question marks at the bottom of the depth chart. They’ve got the stars, but they need insurance. If De La Cruz can find that 2023 form—where he hit .257 with 19 homers and 78 RBI—he’s a steal. If he’s the guy who hit .191 in Atlanta, he might be playing in the Dominican Winter League permanently by next year.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Game
Fans often look at his 6'1", 175-pound frame and think he's a speed guy. He isn't. He’s a "statue" in the corners sometimes. His defensive metrics have always been a bit shaky, which is why when the hitting stops, he becomes a liability. He’s a "power-first" outfielder who doesn't actually walk enough to justify the strikeouts.
He actually led the Marlins in sacrifice flies in 2024. He can drive the ball. He’s got "loud" contact when he connects. The problem is the "when."
Real Talk on the Scouting Report
If you’re looking at his 2026 outlook, it’s all about the "Barrel Rate." When De La Cruz is right, he’s among the league leaders in hard-hit percentage. But his 2025 stint in the minors showed a player who was guessing at the plate rather than reacting.
Next Steps for Bryan De La Cruz in 2026:
To stay in the big leagues, the path is narrow but clear.
- Kill the Chase: He has to stop swinging at sliders in the dirt. His OBP needs to get back toward .300 just to be a viable bench piece.
- Corner Outfield Utility: He needs to prove he can play a "plus" Left Field. With the Phillies, defensive flexibility is the only way to beat out younger prospects.
- Spring Training Performance: He has to hit the cover off the ball in February and March. For a guy on a minor league deal, a slow start in Clearwater means an automatic trip to Triple-A.
Watching a guy go from a centerpiece of an offense to a minor-league depth piece in two years is a reminder of how brutal MLB can be. Keep an eye on those early Spring Training box scores. If he’s hitting homers in the Grapefruit League, the "De La Cruz" hype train might just leave the station one more time.