Elly De La Cruz's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings
Player profile
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HT/WT6' 5'' , 200 lbs
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Birthdate01/11/2002 (21)
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Draft InfoUndrafted
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StatusInactive
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz crushed a 450-foot home run during the fifth inning of Monday's 10-8 win over the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers. He didn't stop there, though, tacking on another run on an exhilarating inside-the-park homer in the seventh frame after center fielder Sal Frelick failed to make a diving grab. Some fantasy managers have been groaning about De La Cruz's placement in Cincy's batting order, as he's hit sixth in all 10 outings, but they can't complain about the results. The 22-year-old 2023 top prospect was great in the spring, and he's now batting .297 (11-for-37) with the aforementioned two big flies, five RBI, six stolen bases, and 11 runs scored following his first three-hit attack of the year. One of the game's most thrilling players, De La Cruz looks to build on this effort in a favorable matchup with Brewers right-hander Joe Ross on Tuesday.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz will hit sixth on Thursday on Opening Day versus the Washington Nationals and right-hander Josiah Gray. Cruz had been hitting mostly second for the Reds in spring training action, but outfielder Will Benson will be slotted there for the first regular season game in 2024. It's not exactly what De La Cruz's fantasy managers were hoping for, but it's also just Game 1 of 162 this year. For DFS purposes on Thursday, it makes the intriguing 22-year-old shortstop less attractive towards the bottom of the lineup. De La Cruz's tantalizing power/speed combination makes him one of the top young position-player prospects in baseball, at a premium position no less. With a hot streak at the plate, he could easily supplant Benson in the two-hole for the Reds sooner than later.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz went 1-for-5 with a triple and two runs scored in Thursday's 7-6 Cactus League loss to the Mariners. The 22-year-old began the spring season with 11 hits in his first 11 games, but the bat has gone cold as of late with Thursday's triple being his only hit in his last 15 at-bats. The switch hitter has a spring line like you might expect, hitting .273 (12-for-44) with three doubles, two triples, one home run, four RBI, 12 runs scored, and five stolen bases to go along with seven walks and an outrageous, albeit not unexpected, 19 strikeouts (37.3%). Although he was working in the offseason to shorten his swing in order to reduce his K%, it doesn't appear to be translating into success yet with eight multi-strikeout showings in 15 total games. Despite this, his tantalizing speed and power will make him a coveted fantasy asset, but managers need to be prepared for bouts of extreme ineffectiveness mixed in with some supercharged performances.
Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz is expected to be the team's regular shortstop in 2024. "Going into it, Elly will play a lot of short, and Matt will play a lot of second," manager David Bell said. "Everything else, we've got to let it play out." De La Cruz played both third base and shortstop in his rookie season in 2023, but he's expected to focus on the 6 in spring training. Matt McLain, who started 53 games at shortstop and 37 games at second base last year, will train at both positions in camp. The 22-year-old has some of the best range, lateral quickness and arm strength in baseball, and the 6-foot-6 infielder has worked this offseason to shorten his leg kick on both sides of the plate in an effort to cut down his swings and misses in 2024. If he can put it all together offensively in his first full season in the big leagues, De La Cruz has the potential to be a special player at a premium position.