Cincinnati Reds’ Superstar Elly De La Cruz is Thriving in Spring Training

The switch-hitter is near the top of the league in multiple categories.

Mar 4, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz steals second base ahead of the tag by Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Tommy Edman during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

After Elly De La Cruz finished eighth in the National League MVP voting in 2024, expectations for the young superstar continued to rise.

The switch-hitter slashed .259/.339/.471 to go with 71 extra-base hits and a league-leading 67 stolen bases in the 2024 campaign. He also led the league with 218 strikeouts. Oh, and one last thing: De La Cruz was picked to be on the cover of MLB The Show 25.

The 23-year-old isn’t doing anything in spring training to slow down those expectations. He is slashing .452/.553/.839 with six extra-base hits, six stolen bases, and maybe most importantly, has only struck out six times.

Going into Sunday’s contest, De La Cruz had reached base in each of his last 13 games this spring, marking the second longest active streak in the majors and the longest by a Red to open a spring training season since Eugenio Suarez reached base 22 straight games in 2016.

If you’re not impressed yet, he is currently tied for fourth in Major League Baseball with 10 runs scored, tied for second with six stolen bases, tied for eighth with 26 total bases, and tied for seventh with 14 hits.

De La Cruz has the chance to be one of the best players in the league. If the Reds want to make a run at the National League Central this season, they'll need him to be.

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