It’s hard to think about a more exciting player in MLB than Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz.
He is shaping up to be this year’s Ronald Acuna Jr.: a player with immense power and the ability to steal bases in bunches.
- Advertisement -
In fact, if he keeps up his current pace, he will reach new heights and could even top Acuna’s 41-homer, 73-steal season last year.
“Elly De La Cruz is on pace for a historic season,” the league tweeted, detailing his power-speed pace in a graphic.
Elly De La Cruz is on pace for a historic season. 👀 pic.twitter.com/3b4aAlP1Yf
De La Cruz is currently on pace to go yard 42 times this year, and steal a whopping 94 bases.
- Advertisement -
Such a high pace is incredibly difficult to maintain, but if there is a player physically capable and skilled enough to take a shot at it, it’s De La Cruz.
He is healthy, hungry, and prepared to face MLB pitching.
It took a while (he had a rather disappointing .710 OPS last season despite 13 home runs and 35 steals), but De La Cruz has matured as a hitter.
Not only does he have eight home runs and 18 thefts already in 2024, but he has a .968 OPS.
- Advertisement -
That’s where you see how much he has grown: he has always had power and speed, but consistently inflicting damage at the plate and on the basepaths was still a work in progress.
That’s not the case anymore: we are witnessing the breakout of a star, one that will come with plenty of dingers and stolen bases.
Fans just have to sit back and enjoy.
- Advertisement -