De La Cruz’s speed, power create more excitement for Reds
CINCINNATI — Elly De La Cruz’s power and speed are generating more excitement for the Cincinnati Reds, with his three-run homer Friday night the latest example.
The 22-year-old star from the Dominican Republic hit a sinking liner Monday that skipped over the glove of diving center fielder Sal Frelick and rolled toward the warning track. With great, long strides, the 6-foot-5 De La Cruz shifted into hyperdrive on his way to second base and legged out his first inside-the-park home run at 30 feet per second. He rounded the bases in a shade less than 15 seconds.
“When I saw him miss that ball, I said ‘I’m going home.’” De La Cruz said. “No matter what happens, I’m going home.”
Two innings before his homer in the Reds’ 10-8 win, De La Cruz crushed a 3-2 sinker from J.B. Bukauskas 450 feet off the top of the batter’s eye behind center field. He walked halfway to first, tossing his bat away nonchalantly while admiring the arc.
In the fourth inning, De La Cruz scored from first base on a bunt. In Wednesday night’s loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, his homer into the left-field seats was clocked off the bat at 110.4 mph.
The Reds lost two of three to their National League Central rivals, but De La Cruz had six hits, three homers, four RBIs and six runs along with a stolen base against Milwaukee. He struck out only once.
“That kid over there,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said, “he’s pretty special.”
De La Cuz was hitting .333 with a 1.104 on-base plus slugging percentage after Friday night’s 11-1 win over the Chicago White Sox. He singled to extend his on-base streak to 18 games dating to Sept. 26 and had hit safely in 12 of 13 games. He kept up his tear in the third inning, driving an 0-2 changeup from Chris Flexen into the right-field seats.
He cooled off Saturday by going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a flyout as the Red beat the White Sox 5-0, but he maintained his one-base streak with a walk in the ninth.
Last July 8 at Milwaukee, the audacious De La Cruz made highlight reels by stealing second, third and home in the span of two pitches.
“The exciting, fun part is to watch Elly run, which is incredible,” Reds manager David Bell said. “But at the same time, we’re looking at the at-bats he had to get into those positions. He’s working so hard at it. It’s nice to see it pay off.”
The lanky, switch-hitting De La Cruz — who spent part of 2022 with the Southern League’s Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts — was a sensation as soon as he was promoted to the majors. He struck out a lot, diving at sliders down and away. His fielding is still a work in progress, although the shortstop’s throws to first are among the fastest in the majors.
De La Cruz smiles often while playing and celebrating with reckless joy. He’s the first one waiting to exchange flying high-fives with teammates after wins. A Spanish speaker, he’s trying to improve his English because he said he wants to be able to communicate better with the fans, who can’t get enough of him.
“I enjoy every moment,” he said.
He also brings a spark to the clubhouse.
“I think Cincinnati is truly blessed with a real superstar,” Reds outfielder Will Benson said. “He doesn’t change, regardless of what he’s going through. He’s a genuine treat to be around.”