‘It was worth it’: Fernando Cruz’s perseverance leads to Reds bullpen, MLB debut

Promoted to the Major Leagues after rosters expanded in September, the 32-year-old Cruz became the oldest Reds player to make his Major League debut in 66 years when he pitched a scoreless inning Friday. He struck out two batters with his slider and was greeted by a long line of teammates ready to high-five him in the dugout….

Cruz’s story is one of incredible perseverance. Looking at the websites that track stats paint a portrait of a guy who never lost faith in himself.

He was a sixth-round pick in 2007 by the Kansas City Royals out of Puerto Rico. He spent four years as a corner infielder and a catcher, but he didn’t advance past A-ball.

“Pitchers started to wear me out,” he said. “I wasn’t doing really good.”

Cruz converted to a pitcher in 2011, an easier than expected transition because of his arm strength and physical conditioning, he said. The toughest part, however, is trying to find success immediately and keep a roster spot over guys who have been pitcher their entire lives.

He was released by the Royals at the end of the 2012 season. That’s where most of these stories end. He had an opportunity after he was drafted, toiling in the minor leagues for six years, and now he had nowhere to play.