Omar Cruz is a Mexican pitcher born in Hermosillo, Sonora, who made the jump to the Major Leagues with the San Diego Padres this April 1, 2025.
At 26 years and 65 days old, Cruz became the 149th Mexican player to play in the MLB and the 25th Mexican-born left-handed pitcher to reach that level.
Historic debut
In his first appearance in the world’s best baseball, Omar Cruz pitched the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at San Diego’s Petco Park.
This game ended in a 7-0 victory for the Padres.
The left-hander used just 13 pitches (8 strikes) to retire the three batters he faced in order:
Nolan Jones, struck out with a 2-2 count.
Bo Naylor, raised to right field
Gabriel Arias, ground ball to shortstop
With this performance, Omar Cruz kept his team’s combined shutout.
He became the second Mexican left-handed reliever to do so in his debut, after Jaime García (2008).
A special place
Omar Cruz joins a very exclusive group:
He is only the third Mexican left-handed reliever to strike out the first batter he faces in his debut, along with Víctor Álvarez (2002) and Miguel Aguilar (2021).
Cruz became the 149th Mexican player to play in the MLB
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In addition, he is the fifth Mexican left-handed reliever to pitch a perfect inning in his first major league appearance, joining the likes of:
Fernando Valenzuela (1980)
Rosario Rodríguez (1989)
Roberto Ramirez (1998)
Miguel Aguilar (2021)
Mexican lefties
Buzzy
Of the 25 Mexican left-handed pitchers who have reached the Major Leagues, only 10 have debuted as starters.
Among them, only Teodoro Higuera (1985), Óliver Pérez (2002) and Julio Urías (2016) managed to strike out the first batter in their first game.
Now, Omar Cruz joins this select group, although he does so from the bullpen, which further highlights his achievement in a high-pressure role.
Omar Cruz is also the third Mexican in Padres history to strike out his first batter in his debut, joining Oliver Perez and Cesar Vargas.
His performance has been highlighted by fans and pundits alike as a sign that young Mexican talent continues to bring quality to professional baseball in the U.S.
For more information, visit QueOnnda.com.
