Omar Cruz – San Diego Padres Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Omar Cruz is a promising left-handed pitcher for the San Diego Padres and has started making waves in Major League Baseball since his debut. Born on January 26, 1999, this Mexican pitcher has shown real potential and a cool head on the mound as his skills keep developing.

Omar Cruz plays under a one-year contract with the San Diego Padres, earning $760,000 for the 2025 season. That’s his pre-arbitration salary in MLB.

Cruz worked his way up through the El Paso Chihuahuas, sharpening his pitching before the Padres selected his contract. His current net worth sits around $100,000, though that’s bound to rise if he sticks in the majors. Sure, his earnings look modest next to the veterans, but that’s just how it goes for young talent breaking in.

With every outing, Cruz gains more experience, and fans are watching to see how he develops. The Padres clearly believe in him, giving him a shot in the big leagues, and his contract status means he’ll have chances to prove himself before hitting arbitration in the next few years.

Early Life and Background

Omar Alejandro Cruz was born in Hermosillo, Mexico, on January 26, 1999. Growing up in a country that lives and breathes baseball, he found his passion early and built the foundation for his leap to Major League Baseball.

Family and Upbringing

Cruz grew up in Hermosillo, a city with deep baseball roots in Sonora. Details about his family aren’t really out there, but the local baseball culture almost certainly fueled his interest. Hermosillo’s Naranjeros, a storied Mexican Pacific League team, have produced MLB players since 1847.

During Cruz’s childhood, baseball in Mexico was on the rise, with more Mexican players cracking MLB rosters. That growth opened doors for Latin American talents like Cruz who dreamed of playing at the highest level.

Youth Baseball Career

Cruz started out in the youth leagues of Hermosillo, and his left-handed pitching grabbed attention right away. He showed off technical skill and a calm approach that would later define his game.

By his mid-teens, international scouts had noticed his advanced pitch control—a rare trait for someone so young. He moved up through the Mexican baseball development system, which has long sent talent to MLB.

Cruz made a name for himself in regional competitions, which led to professional opportunities. His left-handed delivery and pitching smarts made him a standout prospect, paving the way for a pro contract with a Major League team.

Professional Career Overview

Omar Cruz’s baseball journey has taken him through several organizations, and he’s grown into a left-handed pitcher with real upside. He’s shown grit and determination, working his way through the minors to reach the majors.

Minor League Development

Cruz kicked off his professional career when he signed with the San Diego Padres as an international free agent in 2018. He spent his first years in the Padres system, focusing on his mechanics and building up arm strength.

In January 2019, the Padres traded him in a package to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He spent three seasons (2021-2023) with the Pirates, moving up their minor league ranks even as the pandemic wiped out the 2020 season.

Cruz’s minor league numbers got better over time, especially with his command and strikeouts. He pitched at several levels, gaining experience against tougher hitters as he went.

MLB Debut and Breakthrough

After the Padres reacquired him, Cruz finally made his MLB debut. Years of grinding in the minors led up to that moment, and he overcame plenty of obstacles to get there.

On the mound, he mixes fastballs, breaking balls, and off-speed pitches. At 6’0″, he’s not overpowering, but he brings a competitive edge every time out.

Cruz earned his MLB shot by pitching consistently at Triple-A, and the Padres couldn’t ignore his progress. He’s shown he can stay calm when the pressure’s on, which really sets him apart.

Notable Seasons

The 2025 season was a big one for Cruz—he got his first invitation to Major League Spring Training. That came after six seasons bouncing between the Padres (2018-2019, 2024) and Pirates (2021-2023).

In 2023, while with the Pirates, Cruz found more consistency and upped his strikeouts, which set him up for his Padres return.

He locked in a one-year, $760,000 contract with the Padres, marking his rise as a young talent. His net worth sits at about $100,000, but that’s sure to climb if he sticks around.

Contract and Teams

Omar Cruz has carved out a spot with the San Diego Padres, signing a straightforward contract as he works to establish himself. His financials and team history show the typical path of a young MLB pitcher.

Contract Details

Cruz currently plays under a one-year deal for $760,000 with the Padres. That’s a standard pre-arbitration contract for a player at this stage.

He gets the full $760,000 guaranteed, and that’s also his average annual salary. Compared to Padres veterans, his contract is pretty modest.

Some sources peg his net worth at about $100,000, but that number will change as he signs bigger deals down the line.

Team History and Trades

Cruz has mostly been a Padres guy. They selected his contract from Triple-A El Paso on September 18, 2024, bringing him up to the majors.

Before that call-up, he pitched for El Paso in the minors. He spent a bit of time on the 7-day injured list but got activated by the Chihuahuas.

During the 2023-24 offseason, Cruz played winter ball for the Naranjeros de Hermosillo in the Mexican Pacific League, which helped him stay sharp during the MLB break.

Role of Free Agency

As a pre-arbitration player making close to the MLB minimum, Cruz hasn’t reached free agency yet. The Padres’ general manager still controls his future with the team.

He’ll stay under team control for a few more years before he can go to arbitration or test free agency. That’s pretty normal for young players trying to cement their spot.

How Cruz performs in coming seasons will decide if he sticks with the Padres or ends up in trade talks. If he becomes a reliable lefty, his free agent value could jump once he’s eligible.

Net Worth and Financial Profile

Omar Cruz’s finances come mostly from baseball, with his MLB contract as his main source of income. His net worth is still on the lower end, which makes sense for someone just starting out.

Salary Progression

Cruz started making real money when he joined the MLB system. In 2024-2025, he signed a one-year deal for $760,000 with the Padres. That’s his first big league contract after years in the minors.

Before reaching the majors, Cruz earned a lot less—minor leaguers usually make between $4,800 and $14,000 a season, depending on level.

His current contract puts him near the MLB minimum salary for new major leaguers.

Endorsements and Other Income

Cruz’s net worth is about $100,000 as of 2025, reflecting where he’s at in his career. He hasn’t landed big endorsement deals yet, which isn’t unusual for rookies and young players.

Most guys at this stage focus on performing before sponsors come calling. Early-career players just don’t get many endorsement chances until they prove themselves.

Cruz might pick up some extra cash from team appearances, clinics, or signing memorabilia, but that’s just a drop in the bucket compared to his MLB salary.

Challenges and Injuries

Omar Cruz has run into his share of setbacks—injuries and tough timing have tested his resilience. These challenges have definitely shaped his path as a pro player.

Major Injuries

Cruz has battled through injuries that stalled his progress in the minors. He suffered a significant injury during construction work in the Bronx, which meant medical attention and time spent rehabbing.

Details about his baseball injuries aren’t widely available, but pitchers often deal with arm issues that can derail a career. Keeping his arm healthy has been key for Cruz if he wants to stick around.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought its own problems, wiping out the 2020 minor league season and costing Cruz a crucial year of development.

Impact on Career Trajectory

Cruz’s injuries really threw off his path to the majors. Young pitchers need steady development, and injury disruptions can stall that for months—sometimes even longer.

These setbacks probably shaped Cruz’s contract situation. Right now, he’s on a 1-year, $760,000 deal with the San Diego Padres. That’s pretty standard for guys with not much service time, but it also shows how injuries can push back earning bigger paychecks.

His net worth sits around $100,000. That number really highlights what happens when players don’t land those big, long-term contracts—usually because their development got interrupted.

Still, Cruz keeps grinding. He’s working to bounce back from both physical setbacks and the weirdness of developing during the pandemic.