Jacob Cruz is a former professional baseball player who played for several teams during his career. He was born on January 28, 1973, in Oxnard, California, and attended Arizona State University, where he played college baseball.
Cruz was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the first round of the 1994 Major League Baseball draft. He made his major league debut with the Giants in 1996 and played for them until 1999. During his time with the Giants, Cruz played primarily as an outfielder and had a batting average of .250 with 10 home runs and 51 RBIs.
In 2000, Cruz was traded to the Detroit Tigers, where he played for one season. He then played for the Cincinnati Reds in 2001 and the Chicago Cubs in 2002. Cruz's best season came in 2003 when he played for the Colorado Rockies. He had a batting average of .292 with 12 home runs and 45 RBIs in 98 games.
After his stint with the Rockies, Cruz played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2004 and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2005. He finished his career with a batting average of .218, 22 home runs, and 105 RBIs in 542 games.
Cruz was known for his versatility as a player, as he could play all three outfield positions and first base. He was also a solid defensive player, with a career fielding percentage of .986.
After retiring from baseball, Cruz became a coach and instructor. He has worked with several organizations, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Los Angeles Angels, and the Seattle Mariners. Cruz has also worked as a television analyst for the Pac-12 Network.
In addition to his baseball career, Cruz is also known for his charitable work. He founded the Jacob Cruz Foundation, which provides scholarships and support to underprivileged youth in Arizona. The foundation also hosts an annual charity golf tournament to raise funds for its programs.
Overall, Jacob Cruz had a solid career as a professional baseball player, playing for several teams over the course of his career. He was known for his versatility and solid defensive play, and has continued to make an impact in the baseball world as a coach and instructor.
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