Pirates manager sends needed message to struggling Oneil Cruz

Cruz was accepting of the decision and said it can be a learning experience and teaching moment.

Cruz is the Pirates' best and most dynamic offensive player, and through the first two months of the season, he looked to be on track for a breakout year. Along with leading the league in stolen bases, he was posting an on-base percentage well over .360, an OPS over .800 and flirting with a 40-home run, 40-stolen base pace. 

But since the start of June, his numbers have completely tanked, while his strikeout rate has skyrocketed.

Cruz is a polarizing player in Pittsburgh because he hasn't really excelled in the field at shortstop or center field, and he has had some inconsistency at the plate and not always hit for the highest average. He has also had some fundamental mistakes at times in the field, especially as he has adjusted to center field.

But he is also an incredible talent who not only has the highest upside of any position player on the team, but he has also been a really productive hitter. 

He is not playing like that right now, however, and it is impacting all phases of his game. After botching a ground ball in center field this past week, he did not run after it or make an effort to get it. He did not get benched or removed for that. The double-play ball Tuesday night was too much for Kelly to ignore. Maybe it is the wakeup call he needed to get his game back on track.