Elly De La Cruz: A Young Star Shining Bright Amidst Cincinnati Reds' Struggles
In a season where the Cincinnati Reds have faced numerous challenges, one bright spot has been the remarkable performance of their 22-year-old shortstop, Elly De La Cruz. Displaying both power and speed, De La Cruz has etched his name into the annals of baseball history with a series of standout achievements.
De La Cruz has established himself as the charter member of a new power/speed club. This season, he joined a select group of players, including legends like Vince Coleman and Rickey Henderson, by stealing 100 bases in his first two seasons. His prowess on the base paths was further highlighted in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he smashed his 25th home run of the season.
What sets De La Cruz apart is not just his blistering speed but also his ability to hit for power, a combination that has made him a unique talent. This year, he became the first shortstop in baseball history to post a season with at least 25 home runs and 65 stolen bases. Additionally, he is only the fifth player in the entire history of the sport to achieve these numbers in a single season.
De La Cruz's statistical achievements are impressive across the board. He is currently boasting a .260 batting average, with a .343 on-base percentage and a .471 slugging percentage. His all-around contributions have earned him 4.9 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) this year, a metric that underscores his value to the team. This WAR places him fifth in the National League, trailing only giants like Shohei Ohtani (8.0), Matt Chapman (6.9), Francisco Lindor (6.6), and Ketel Marte (6.1).
Despite De La Cruz's historic season, the Cincinnati Reds have struggled to find their footing. They currently hold a 75-80 record and have been eliminated from postseason contention. This marks another disappointing chapter for the Reds, who last appeared in the playoffs during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. It has been a decade since they replicated that success in a full 162-game season, last doing so in 2013.
Nevertheless, De La Cruz's emergence provides a beacon of hope for the Reds' future. The young star's combination of speed, power, and overall skill set suggests that he could be a cornerstone for the franchise moving forward. As the team looks to rebuild and refocus, De La Cruz's standout season offers a promising glimpse of what might lie ahead.
While the Reds may be out of playoff contention this year, the arrival of De La Cruz might just be the spark they need to return to prominence in the seasons to come. In a sport that constantly seeks the next big thing, Elly De La Cruz has announced himself as a player to watch—a star whose best days are likely still ahead of him.