Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz, promoted to the majors this week, was born to make history.
He is a physical specimen that appears once every decade or so.
He generates incredible exit velocities with his immense raw power, he can fly on the basepaths, and he has a good sense of the strike zone even though he doesn’t come without swing-and-miss issues.
He is already having a huge impact on the Reds’ up-and-coming roster, and is establishing franchise records for the 2023 season.
“5 at-bats into his @MLB career, @reds‘ Elly De La Cruz registered: The Reds’ two hardest-hit balls of ’23 (114.8, 112.0); the Reds’ two fastest sprint speeds of ’23 (30.9, 30.4); the Reds’ longest home run of ’23 (458) and MLB’s fastest home-to-3rd time of ’23 (10.83),” MLB Pipeline tweeted.
5 at-bats into his @MLB career, @reds' Elly De La Cruz registered:
? The Reds' two hardest-hit balls of '23 (114.8, 112.0)
? The Reds' two fastest sprint speeds of '23 (30.9, 30.4)
? The Reds' longest home run of '23 (458)
? MLB's fastest home-to-3rd time of '23 (10.83) pic.twitter.com/mYIkaUBziN— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 8, 2023
Five at-bats.
That’s what he has needed to write his name at the top of the team’s leaderboards for the season.
The two hardest-hit balls were a home run and a double, if you were wondering.
His sprint speed is something to behold.
It’s like watching Oneil Cruz, a similarly toolsy future star, play.
De La Cruz has 41 homers and 58 stolen bases since the start of the 2022 season, across four (!) levels: High-A, Double-A, Triple-A, and the majors.
The guy was playing in High-A last year around this time!
He is just too good for the minors and will try to prove that the adjustment to the majors won’t be a tough one for him.
Time will tell, but for now, De La Cruz looks like baseball’s next superstar.
NEXT: Reds Prospect Had His First Big MLB Moment On Wednesday
