Fastball

Cincinnati Reds Star Elly De La Cruz Became Only Player in MLB History to Accomplish This

De La Cruz put together a massive 2024 season, but there's still one aspect of his game that needs consistency: Making regular contact.

Brady Farkas

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) reacts after flying out in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Sept 24.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) reacts after flying out in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Sept 24. / David Richard-Imagn Images
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Cincinnati Reds' second-year player Elly De La Cruz put together an excellent season in a breakout 2024. He was one of the lone bright spots for a disappointing Reds team that finished fourth in the National League Central and missed the playoffs.

He led baseball in steals with 67, and for a while, he was on pace to steal 100 bases. In addition to his baserunning prowess, he also hit 25 homers and hit .259, showing his ability to make hard contact. He made his first All-Star Game and looks like he'll pair with Matt McLain to make a very exciting middle-infield tandem for years to come.

While De La Cruz consistently makes hard contact, he doesn't make contact in general enough, as he also led all of baseball in strikeouts.

According to Sleeper MLB, he's the only player in baseball history to accomplish the following:

Fun fact - Elly De La Cruz led the league in Strikeouts (218) and Steals (67).

He’s the only player in MLB history to do so.

De La Cruz has an electric skillset, with that great speed and limitless power. He also has a rocket for a throwing arm. If and when he refines that skillset and makes more general contact, he'll put together an even better batting average and on-base percentage, making him a further threat on the bases.

The Reds fired manager David Bell at the end of the season and replaced him with Terry Francona earlier this offseason. They are hoping that unlocks the entire roster to reach its potential.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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