Elly De La Cruz is a switch-hitting shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds. His story is interesting due to his extremely humble origins. De La Cruz was signed by the Reds in 2018 for just $65,000. He was not a well-known prospect when initially signing. That changed quickly starting in 2021 when De La Cruz began his tear across the minor leagues. He is currently the #4 rated prospect on MLB.com’s top 100 list.
De La Cruz is a 5-tool prospect, meaning he can hit, hit for power, steal, throw, and field. He is regarded for his arm, power, and speed, all of which grade as “Plus-Plus”. He has a 70-run grade, comparable to some of the fastest players in MLB (the same grade that Corbin Carroll has). He is only 21 years old, making his ascent even more impressive. He compares fairly well to O’Neil Cruz of the Pirates, with both being 5 tool shortstops with larger-than-normal size for the position.
De La Cruz started the season in AAA and hit .297 with 12 home runs, 36 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases. He was called up to the big leagues on June 6th, 2023. He is projected to be a perennial All-Star with a realistic shot to win MVP awards.
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