Juan Cruz is a former professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on October 15, 1978, in Bonao, Dominican Republic. Cruz began his professional baseball career in 1997 when he signed with the Chicago Cubs as an amateur free agent.
Cruz made his MLB debut with the Cubs in 2001, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2003. He played for the Braves for two seasons before being traded to the Oakland Athletics in 2005. Cruz played for the Athletics for one season before being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2006.
Cruz played for the Diamondbacks for three seasons, where he had some of his best performances. In 2008, he had a career-high 147 strikeouts and a 4.16 ERA. He also helped the Diamondbacks win the National League West division title that year.
After his time with the Diamondbacks, Cruz played for several other teams, including the Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He played his last MLB game in 2012 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Throughout his career, Cruz was known for his fastball, which could reach up to 97 miles per hour, as well as his curveball and changeup. He was also known for his ability to strike out batters, with a career total of 804 strikeouts in 795 innings pitched.
Cruz's career was not without controversy, as he was suspended for 50 games in 2013 for violating MLB's drug policy. He tested positive for a banned substance, which he claimed was a medication he was taking for a medical condition.
Overall, Cruz had a successful career in MLB, playing for several teams and earning a reputation as a talented pitcher. While his career was not without its challenges, he remains a respected figure in the world of baseball.
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