Why Elly De La Cruz’s Hot Start Is Unprecedented in MLB History

The rookie sensation has Cincinnati firmly in the playoff hunt—and has made baseball history in the process.

It’s been barely over a month since Reds rookie sensation Elly De La Cruz made his major-league debut. But that’s turned out to be enough time for the 6’5”, 200-pound force of nature to take baseball by storm—and make a bit of big-league history in the process.

The 21-year-old phenom has been breathtaking in his first crack in the majors, posting a gaudy .323/.366/.533 slash line with four homers, 28 runs scored and 16 stolen bases in 29 games. In doing so, he’s the first player in MLB history to record 40 hits and 15 stolen bases through his first 30 career games, per ESPN Stats & Info.

Much of what De La Cruz does on the diamond is worthy of spectacle, but it’s the way he uses speed to terrorize opposing teams that’s truly set him apart through his first four-plus weeks in The Show. His latest trick—stealing three bases in one inning against the Brewers on Saturday—was perhaps his most spectacular, further cementing his status as one of the most captivating players we’ve seen in years.

What makes De La Cruz’s feats of wonder that much more impressive is how they’ve translated to winning baseball. The Reds were 27–33 on June 5, the day before his debut. They’ve gone an incredible 22–7 in games he’s played in entering Sunday, surging up to first place in the National League Central division heading into the All-Star break.

As the 2023 campaign settles into its unofficial halfway point, one thing is clear: all eyes will be on De La Cruz to see what he can do in the season's home stretch.