Oneil Cruz showed up to Pirates camp with a fresh look this week, and it’s getting attention for all the right reasons.
The toolsy outfielder cut his dreads, marking a new chapter as Pittsburgh heads into 2026. He revealed the new haircut to the team’s media group on Friday.
Cruz said he’d been planning the move and just wanted to change things up. But he needed a second opinion first.
So he FaceTimed Andrew McCutchen.
“He said you look a lot better. And more handsome.”
That’s how Cruz described Cutch’s reaction to reporters. Can’t argue with that endorsement.
Yes, Oneil Cruz cut his dreads. Was a move he was planning. Once he did, he FaceTimed Andrew McCutchen. Cutch's reaction?
"He said you look a lot better. And more handsome."
(Yes, I know the picture stinks. Cruz had his hat off for about .3 seconds.) pic.twitter.com/sTnsZHRvjx
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) January 23, 2026
Now, will a new haircut translate to better performance on the field? That’s the question everyone’s asking.
Cruz is one of the most talented players in baseball – the power and speed combination is genuinely impressive. But consistency has been his biggest challenge.
The 25-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance mixed with stretches where he struggles to put it all together. It’s the classic case of tools versus production.
Maybe the fresh look brings a fresh mindset. Would it be coincidence rather than correlation? Absolutely. But baseball players are superstitious for a reason, and sometimes a change in routine or appearance can unlock something mentally.
Cruz is entering a crucial year in his development. The Pirates need him to take that next step if they’re going to be competitive in what’s shaping up to be a loaded NL Central.
The new haircut won’t change his swing mechanics or plate discipline, but if it gives him confidence, that’s not nothing.
We’ll find out soon enough if the new look brings new results.
