A slugging right-handed outfielder, Cruz was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2006, where he played five seasons in their farm system. In 2010, he left the Birmingham Barons in the Southern League to play in the Houston Astros farm system. He reached AAA ball with the Round Rock (Texas) Express, named for Hall of Fame pitcher and Texas native Nolan Ryan, who was nicknamed “The Ryan Express.” Cruz also played for Lancaster Jet Hawks, a Houston farm club in the California League. Between 2002 and 2012, he played for several independent minor league teams, including the Yuma Scorpions, Amarillo Sox, Kansas City T-Bones, and the Long Island Ducks. Cruz also toiled for the Yucatan Lions, a well-known team in the Mexican League. In high school, Cruz played outfield for Pasco High School in Dade City, Florida. After graduating, he spent 2003 and 2004 playing for Pasco-Hernando State College in Spring Hill, Florida, where he ranks in the top five all-time in total at-bats, doubles and hits. The next two years were spent at the University of Tampa, where Cruz set several single-season records. He ranks first in home runs (26), RBIs (97) and total bases (204). His .441 batting average ranks fourth in team history. Cruz played five seasons in the Mon-Clair League for the top-ranked St. Louis Spikes, a renowned semi-pro team in Fairview Heights, Illinois.