Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz burst onto the Major League scene last June at just 21 years old, instantly capturing attention as one of baseball’s most electrifying players.
While his rookie season showcased some typical newcomer struggles, with a .710 OPS and 144 strikeouts in 388 at-bats, there were also flashes of brilliance. Whether it was his leisurely trot around the bases after hitting one of his 13 impressive home runs or his swift dashes around the diamond, De La Cruz’s talent was undeniable.
As he embarks on his sophomore season, fans and analysts alike are eagerly watching to see how high De La Cruz’s potential can soar. Through 19 games, he’s showing all the signs of evolving into one of the game’s premier young talents.
On Friday night, De La Cruz showcased his dynamic skills by stealing three bases and smashing a three-run homer. His impressive slash line stands at .290/.364/1.001. With this latest home run, he’s now hit six for the season and boosted his RBI count to 14. Leading the MLB with 10 stolen bases, he’s currently on track to steal 85 bases by season’s end. While it’s still early and we should be cautious with small sample sizes, an 85-steal season would be the most since Rickey Henderson’s 93 steals in 1988.
Pair that potential with a projected 51 home runs and 119 RBIs, and De La Cruz’s season could shape up to be a historic offensive performance. The excitement around his potential for a record-breaking offensive explosion is palpable.
