2 reasons why Pirates fans should believe Oneil Cruz's breakout is for real

The Pittsburgh Pirates are off to a great start this season, with the top record in the National League Central.

While Paul Skenes, Brandon Lowe, Ryan O'Hearn, and Konnor Griffin deserve a ton of attention, the production from Oneil Cruz this season is arguably the most exciting outcome of the season so far. His breakout is a long-time coming.

But, is this breakout for real? MLB.com's Bill Ladson provided two key reasons why Pirates fans should believe that this breakout is for-real, and not a mirage.

2 reasons why Pirates should believe in Oneil Cruz

1. Cruz vs. left-handed pitching

"It helps that Cruz is hitting left-handers, going 10-for-24 (.417) with three homers against them entering Saturday's action," Ladson writes.

Cruz, the lefty slugger, had some major issues against left-handed pitching last season. He hit just .102 against lefties across 108 at-bats. He had 11 hits against lefties. In less than a fourth of the at-bats, he's nearly passed his hit total from last year.

Ladson notes that Cruz "changed his stance" against lefty pitchers, which has clearly helped. With his productivity against left-handed pitching, Pirates fans can believe this breakout is for real. But that's not the only reason.

More: Three ways Pirates' Paul Skenes could lose NL Cy Young Award

2. Cruz vs. offspeed pitching

"Cruz is also doing better against offspeed and breaking pitches," Ladson pointed out. Cruz, the power-hitting slugger, hadn't been doing too well against breaking and offspeed pitches.

Last year, he hit .164 after going 42-for-256 against such pitching. But things have taken a drastic turn this season, as he's gone 13-for-42 for a .310 batting average against offspeed and breaking pitches.

Before, pitchers could turn to offspeed and breaking stuff to get Cruz out. That's not the case this season, as the Pirates slugger is finding his groove against such pitching.

Oneil Cruz is breaking out for real

Between Cruz hitting offspeed and breaking pitches better, along with much better production against left-handed pitching, this breakout is for real.

Cruz is hitting .295 on the season with six homers, 19 RBIs, and a league-best nine stolen bases. His .924 OPS is a great mark, and he's breaking out at 27 years old.

While it might be hard to fully buy into Cruz's breakout due to the shaky seasons he's had in the past, the lefty hitting numbers thanks to a batting stance change, and his ability to hit the offspeed and breaking pitches he struggled with last year, should instill confidence.

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