Fernando Cruz

Active

New York Yankees · Pitcher

Age 366' 2" · 237 lbsThrows Right

FBaseball Overview

At 36 years old, this veteran right-hander operates primarily in a relief role for the Yankees, offering modest upside in wins and saves while providing steady strikeout production and a sub-2.60 ERA through early 2026. His 1.29 WHIP and 46 strikeouts across 35 innings demonstrate improved command compared to his 2025 campaign, suggesting he's found a groove in limited innings as a depth arm. The primary risk is his age and likely limited workload—even with a save or two on the year, he won't accumulate the volume needed to be a cornerstone fantasy asset. Fantasy managers should view him as a streaming option for ratios rather than someone to build around, banking on his experience and recent efficiency gains to add depth to pitching rotations.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2022	Cincinnati Reds	14	2	0	1	0	1.23	1.23	21	14.2	9
2023	Cincinnati Reds	58	2	1	2	0	4.91	1.21	98	66.0	28
2024	Cincinnati Reds	69	3	3	8	0	4.86	1.34	109	66.2	35
2025	New York Yankees	49	0	3	4	2	3.56	1.19	72	48.0	24
2026	New York Yankees	41	0	4	3	1	2.39	1.27	47	37.2	22
Career	Totals	231	7	11	18	3	3.98	1.25	347	233	118

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2011	AZL Royals	17	0	2	3	1	7.99	1.90	17	23.2	15
2012	Idaho Falls Chukars	20	0	4	3	3	6.88	1.87	38	35.1	17
2015	2 teams▼	16	1	2	1	1	5.46	1.63	31	31.1	20
2018.2	Pericos de Puebla	9	2	1	1	0	7.80	1.73	10	15.0	8
2022	Louisville Bats	51	0	4	4	23	2.89	1.04	66	56.0	19
2023	Louisville Bats	2	0	0	0	0	16.20	2.40	2	1.2	2
2025	2 teams▼	4	0	0	0	0	12.27	2.18	6	3.2	2
Career	Totals	119	6	12	14	29	5.79	1.52	166	172.2	77

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 season

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Pitching Analytics2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo93.2 mph

Avg Spin1507 rpm

Whiff %40.9%

K %29.6%

BB %13.8%

Hard Hit %21.6%

Barrel %5.7%

xERA3.07

xBA Against0.181

xSLG Against0.291

BA Against0.194

SLG Against0.284

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

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Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2022

Cincinnati Reds

1.23

14.2

2023

Cincinnati Reds

4.91

1.21

66.0

2024

Cincinnati Reds

4.86

1.34

109

66.2

2025

New York Yankees

3.56

1.19

48.0

2026

New York Yankees

2.39

1.27

37.2

Career

Totals

231

3.98

1.25

347

233

118

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2011

AZL Royals

7.99

1.90

23.2

2012

Idaho Falls Chukars

6.88

1.87

35.1

2015

2 teams▼

5.46

1.63

31.1

2018.2

Pericos de Puebla

7.80

1.73

15.0

2022

Louisville Bats

2.89

1.04

56.0

2023

Louisville Bats

16.20

2.40

1.2

2025

2 teams▼

12.27

2.18

3.2

Career

Totals

119

5.79

1.52

166

172.2