“Reds’ No. 1 Prospect Elly De La Cruz Makes Majors Debut: Power, Speed

“Reds’ No. 1 Prospect Elly De La Cruz Makes Majors Debut: Power, Speed

The Cincinnati Reds have called up Elly De La Cruz, their highly-touted prospect who was ranked by MLB.com as the No. 4 prospect in the majors and the best in the Reds’ system. De La Cruz has been on a tear in the minors this season, hitting 12 homers and posting a 1.031 OPS in 38 games with the Triple A Louisville Bats. He has shown prodigious power, hitting some of the longest home runs ever seen, as well as blazing speed and a strong throwing arm. De La Cruz primarily played shortstop in the minors but also has experience at third base, where he will play for the Reds due to third baseman Nick Senzel’s knee injury.

 

De La Cruz learned of his promotion in a surprising moment captured on video, which the Reds posted on social media. He was in the team hotel with his teammates as they prepared to begin a six-game series against the Columbus Clippers when manager Pat Kelly surprised him with the news that he was getting called up. Despite playing well over the first two months of the season, De La Cruz was clearly moved by the news of his promotion.

“Reds’ No. 1 Prospect Elly De La Cruz Makes Majors Debut: Power, Speed

 

De La Cruz, who stands 6’5″, is expected to make his MLB debut in the Reds’ series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park. He will play third base, where he has played nine times in 38 Triple-A games this season and 73 times in his minor league career overall. It remains to be seen whether the Reds will move De La Cruz and their other recent call-up, Matt McLain, around the infield or stick with their current alignment.

De La Cruz’s promotion has been widely reported by other media outlets, with R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports ranking him as the No. 2 prospect in baseball. De La Cruz is considered one of the most fascinating prospects in the sport, with elite power and near-elite speed. While he has swing-and-miss tendencies, particularly against left-handed pitching, he still has one of the highest ceilings in the minors. De La Cruz’s promotion is expected to be a major boost for the Reds, who currently have a 27-33 record and are 5.5 games back in the weak NL Central.

The news was also widely circulated by other media in the United States of America

Elly De La Cruz promotion: Reds call up No. 2 prospect in baseball, bring potential star into busy infield

The Cincinnati Reds have called up one of the best prospects in baseball. On Tuesday afternoon, the team announced shortstop Elly De La Cruz has been summoned from Triple-A, and he will make his MLB debut in Cincinnati’s series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park. De La Cruz will debut in front of the home fans.

De La Cruz, 21, authored a .298/.398/.633 batting line with 12 home runs in 38 Triple-A games this season. He is a physical specimen who generates top of the line exit velocities, and is simply one of the most fascinating prospects in the sport. The Reds originally signed De La Cruz as an international amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic in July 2018.

Our R.J. Anderson ranked De La Cruz the No. 2 prospect in baseball Tuesday. Here’s his write-up:

“Reds’ No. 1 Prospect Elly De La Cruz Makes Majors Debut: Power, Speed

Since returning from a hamstring injury in late April, the switch-hitting De La Cruz has pummeled Triple-A pitching and produced some of the loudest contact that organized baseball will see all year. Lest that read like hyperbole, his feats of strength so far this season include more than a handful of batted balls with exit velocities north of 115 mph.

De La Cruz has elite power, in other words, as well as near-elite speed. (In one game this season, he stole third base without a throw when a catcher made a lackadaisical return toss to the pitcher.) Scouts have warmed up to De La Cruz remaining at shortstop, but they haven’t yet gotten over his swing-and-miss tendencies, particularly against left-handed pitching. There’s a fair chance that he ends up being a nominal switch-hitter who does most of his damage versus righties. That’s fine, all things considered, since De La Cruz still has one of the highest ceilings in the minors.

And here’s how De La Cruz learned of his promotion:

De La Cruz is in Tuesday’s starting lineup at third base, a position he played nine times in 38 Triple-A games this season and 73 times in his minor league career overall. Third base may ultimately prove to be De La Cruz’s best position, though he has spent the majority of his time in the minors at short.

Last month the Reds called up Matt McLain, their 2021 first-round pick, and he’s hit .329/.389/.500 with two home runs in 19 big league games. He has been the club’s starting shortstop since being called up and is again there Tuesday, with Jonathan India at his familiar second base. It remains to be seen whether the Reds will move these players around, or stick with this infield alignment.

“Reds’ No. 1 Prospect Elly De La Cruz Makes Majors Debut: Power, Speed

Cincinnati enters play Tuesday with a 27-33 record, which puts them 5.5 games back in a weak NL Central. In addition to McLain, the Reds also recently called up lefty Andrew Abbott, who tossed six one-hit innings in his MLB debut Monday.

 here’s some additional information on Elly De La Cruz and his promotion to the majors:

– Elly De La Cruz is a 21-year-old infielder from the Dominican Republic. He was signed by the Reds as an international amateur free agent in July 2018.
– De La Cruz has been on a tear in the minors this season, hitting .298/.398/.633 with 12 home runs and 33 RBIs in 38 games with the Triple-A Louisville Bats.
– In addition to his power and speed, De La Cruz has also shown excellent plate discipline, with 25 walks and just 31 strikeouts in 150 plate appearances this season.
– De La Cruz was ranked as the Reds’ No. 1 prospect by MLB.com entering the season, and he has continued to impress with his performance in the minors.
– While De La Cruz has primarily played shortstop in the minors, the Reds plan to use him at third base due to the injury to Nick Senzel. De La Cruz has played third base nine times this season and 73 times in his minor league career overall.
– De La Cruz is expected to make his MLB debut in the Reds’ series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, June 7, 2022.
– The Reds’ decision to call up De La Cruz comes at a critical time for the team, which is currently 5.5 games back in the NL Central and looking to make a push for the playoffs. With his combination of power, speed, and defensive skills, De La Cruz could be a major asset for the team down the stretch.

 

 

 

Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds, MLB, prospect, baseball, Triple-A, Louisville Bats, shortstop, third base, Nick Senzel, injury, power, speed, plate discipline, playoffs, NL Central.