Just maybe Cruz is the RHB version of a David Ortiz. Just maybe. Ortiz, at 40, just led the league in Slg. and OPS.......and IBB which indicates a fair level of respect.
Sometimes guys are just really good.
Freaks, in other words.
Nolan Ryan was a freak.
In 2014, Cruz had a cruddy FIRST half (.783)! Since, it has been (by half seasons) .930, .892, .976, .915, .957!!
Clockwork.
It is possible that Cruz forgets how to hit between Sept. '16 and May '17. Or maybe he quickly gets as old as my dad (88 and on his 6th hip...the 2 God gave him and 4 fake ones). But I'm not betting on that level of crash. In '18 he may embarrass the idea of a clean-up hitting DH...but not in '17.
And if he crashes he still a guessing, 25 HR guy.
At 42, Ichiro just had his best season since he hit .315 at age 36.
Some guys are freaks. Cruz is indicating some freakishness in his DNA; or some PED-influence in his aging process. I'm not sure which.
But it doesn't make much diference at this point.
Moe