Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz loves to cause havoc on the basepaths whenever possible. De La Cruz remains one of the most potent weapons on the Reds’ roster entering the 2025 season.
In 2024, De La Cruz boasted a .259 batting average average, .810 OPS, 25 home runs, 76 RBIs, and 67 stolen bases on 83 attempts. The versatile star led MLB in both stolen bases and in being caught stealing.
De La Cruz was at it again Tuesday during a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies.
Cincinnati Reds Manager Terry Francona Amazed by Elly De La Cruz
During the fourth inning, De La Cruz legged out an infield single to the delight of the crowd. He went to second base after Austin Hays was hit by a pitch. The Reds then pulled off a double steal with Tyler Stephenson at the plate, and the Rockies’ catcher threw to second base.
De La Cruz took advantage by not only stealing third base, but also scoring on the play.
Manager Terry Francona said about this play: “You know [how] they say you may see something when you come to a game you never seen before? I’ve never seen that. When he left third I’m like ‘no no no no … good play.’ I mean that’s as athletic and instinctual I think as you’re ever gonna see. Goodness sakes. That was incredible.”
The Reds manager has been around the major league game since 1981 when he was a rookie at just 22 years old. Francona also said about De La Cruz, “Everybody sees the physical stuff, but if he doesn’t keep his head up and know where the ball is, that doesn’t happen.”
The Reds will need another big season from De La Cruz if they are going to get back to the playoffs for the first time since the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, when they were swept in an NL Wild Card series by the Atlanta Braves. The Reds finished far out of contention again last season, posting a 77-85 record.
De La Cruz will be part of an infield that is also projected to feature Gavin Lux at third base, Matt McLain at second base, and Spencer Steer at first. While the latter trio certainly doesn’t lack for talent or past accomplishments, the Reds clearly cannot afford to be without De La Cruz for any extended stretch if they expect to contend throughout the season in what should be a competitive NL Central.