Inside The Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies Top Prospect's Incredible Streak Continues

Carlos De La Cruz is putting together one of the longest on-base streaks in the history of Double-A Reading.

Matthew Postins

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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The last time Philadelphia Phillies prospect Carlos De La Cruz failed to get on base for any reason was May 11 against New Hampshire.

That was 33 games ago. Now De La Cruz appears to be on the doorstep of the longest on-base streak for Double-A Reading since 2009.

De La Cruz hit a home run in Sunday’s game with the Hartford Yard Goats. Even though it was a 14-5 Fightin' Phils loss, De La Cruz went 3-for-5 with an RBI and run, both of which came on the solo home run.

It’s an incredible streak that De La Cruz has extended by hit, walk or being hit by a pitch. In fact, he was hit by a pitch twice during games in which we didn’t get a hit or draw a walk.

He’s now tied with Cameron Perkins for the longest on-base streak for Reading since 2009. Perkins put his streak together in 2014.

It’s another reason to believe the Top 10 prospect could earn his way to Triple-A Lehigh Valley at some point this season.

The 23-year-old has been in pro baseball since 2017. That’s when he signed with the Phillies — as undrafted free agent out of George Washington High School in New York City.

He’s already bettering his career year of 202, when he slashed .271/.333/.482/.815 with 17 home runs and 47 RBI.

Entering this week’s action he’s slashing .298/.362/.520/.882 with 14 home runs and 35 RBI. He’s drawn 19 walks and struck out 66 times.

De La Cruz can pass Perkins on Tuesday when Reading starts a series against Portland. 

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Matthew Postins
MATTHEW POSTINS

Matthew Postins is an award-winning sports journalist who covers the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros for Sports Illustrated/FanNation. He also covers he Big 12 for Heartland College Sports.

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