Cruz’s success with Rangers evident in what he’s doing on field, saying to younger players

Cruz rewarding Rangers for their patience

SURPRISE, Ariz. — The success Nelson Cruz had in his first full season for the Texas Rangers was evident by the outfielder’s selection to the All-Star team and Home Run Derby last summer.

More telling of the emerging slugger’s growth was what he told the organization’s younger players in the Dominican Republic this winter after Rangers officials asked a few big leaguers to share their experiences.

“He told the guys the ability to get an opportunity is about talent, your ability to succeed is about your mental approach and your mental strength,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “To hear that from Nellie talking to all these young kids, it really stood out to me how much he’s matured, how much he’s learned.”

Cruz certainly spoke from experience.

Two years ago, Cruz didn’t even make the Rangers’ roster out of spring training. No other team claimed him off waivers, and he was sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma.

Instead of wallowing through his 10th professional season, Cruz responded with an MVP season in the Pacific Coast League, hitting .342 with 37 home runs, 99 RBIs and 24 stolen bases in 103 games for the RedHawks.

When he rejoined the Rangers for the final six weeks of that 2008 season, he was finally able to translate his success onto the big-league level. He hit .330 with seven homers and 26 RBIs in 31 games.

Cruz’s 33 home runs last season were the most ever by a Rangers player in his first full season, and he was third in the American League with one homer every 14 at-bats. He made it to the final round of the Home Run Derby, where he was runner-up to Prince Fielder.

After hitting .260 with 20 stolen bases in 128 games to become only the fifth Texas player with a 30-homer/20-steal season, Cruz is without question the starting right fielder. He likely will hit sixth in a Rangers lineup that added Vladimir Guerrero in the cleanup spot and switched Ian Kinsler from leading off to hitting fifth.

“I appreciate the patience (the Rangers) have and I always thank God for the opportunity,” Cruz said. “When you have bad years, you go back and keep working harder and everything is coming through now.”

The Rangers acquired Cruz with Carlos Lee from Milwaukee in July 2006. Lee left as a free agent at the end of that season.

Cruz made his first opening day roster in 2007, struggled early and went back to Oklahoma, where he hit .352 with 15 homers and 45 RBIs in 44 games. He hit only .235 with nine homers in 96 games for the Rangers, then by the end of the following spring was available for any team that wanted him.

This spring, the 29-year-old Cruz knows he can concentrate on getting ready for the season without worrying about what might happen.

“Definitely, it’s everything different” Cruz said. “I’m more comfortable now.”

Manager Ron Washington has noticed how much more focused and relaxed Cruz is this spring.

“He’s been workmanlike in the way he’s been going about his business,” Washington said. “He’s been a breath of fresh air. He’s been very loud out there, something Nellie don’t do, he’s usually quiet. He’s having fun, cracking jokes, enjoying himself. That’s the state we need him in. We know what his ability is.”

Cruz hit his first homer of the spring Monday night. He hit .417 (10 for 24) with three doubles and seven RBIs through his first nine spring training games.

“More than the numbers or anything else, I’m really impressed with his focus and how calm he is this spring. Talent has never been a question,” Daniels said. “The ability is undeniable. It was just a matter of finding that consistent level. We saw signs of that last year.”