Elly De La Cruz - Cincinnati Reds Top Prospect Making Waves in Minors

Elly De La Cruz - The Cincinnati Reds' Top Prospect Making Waves in the Minors

The Cincinnati Reds have a bright future ahead with top prospect Elly De La Cruz. At just 20 years old, De La Cruz is already showing flashes of brilliance and getting attention for his elite talent and exciting style of play. The young shortstop has all the tools to become a mainstay in the Reds lineup for years to come.

Quickly Rising Through the Reds' Farm System

De La Cruz was originally signed by the Reds out of the Dominican Republic in 2018 as an amateur free agent. He quickly made an impression with his smooth fielding skills, rocket arm, and intriguing raw power at the plate. After a solid professional debut in rookie ball in 2019, De La Cruz was aggressively assigned to the Dayton Dragons in Low-A for the 2021 season.

The young infielder did not disappoint. De La Cruz slashed .303/.381/.532 with 13 home runs and 25 stolen bases as one of the most exciting players in the Midwest League. He demonstrated an advanced hitting approach and emerging power while swiping bags and making highlight-reel plays at shortstop.

This performance earned De La Cruz a promotion to High-A Daytona to finish the 2021 season. He continued to thrive against more advanced pitching, cementing his status as an elite prospect ready for an even bigger breakout in 2022.

Dominating Double-A Competition

Entering the 2022 season, De La Cruz was ranked as the Reds' #2 prospect and tabbed for Double-A Chattanooga. The jump to Double-A is often seen as the biggest test for prospects, but De La Cruz took it all in stride.

Playing against competition nearly 4-5 years older, he batted .308 with 19 home runs and 75 RBIs while posting an excellent .885 OPS. De La Cruz also flashed his speed with 35 stolen bases and continued to improve defensively at shortstop thanks to his cannon throwing arm and excellent range.

This phenomenal full-season performance in Double-A at just 20 years old caused De La Cruz's prospect stock to soar. Many scouts now considered him among the top minor league shortstops in all of baseball.

Showcasing Five-Tool Talent in the Arizona Fall League

De La Cruz was selected to participate in the prestigious Arizona Fall League following the 2022 minor league season. Seen as a stepping stone for top prospects to MLB, the AFL gives young players a chance to square off against elite talents from other farm systems.

De La Cruz continued to thrive, slashing .341/.514/.705 with 3 home runs in just 14 games against players 2-3 years older. He made scouts take notice by hitting for power, speed, and average while continuing to flash leather at shortstop.

Most impressively, De La Cruz showed the ability to work counts and draw walks, responding well to advanced sequencing from pitchers. This experience confirmed he was ready to take the next step in his development.

Projected MLB Debut and Role

After his breakout 2022 campaign, De La Cruz is expected to begin 2023 at Triple-A Louisville. If he continues to dominate at that level, he could earn a promotion to Cincinnati as soon as this summer.

The Reds' current shortstop is Jose Barrero, who is coming off a lackluster rookie campaign. If Barrero struggles again, De La Cruz represents the future at the position and will take over as soon as he is polished enough at the plate.

Most industry scouts see De La Cruz as an everyday shortstop who can hit near the top of the order thanks to his speed. If he maxes out his power potential, he may eventually slide into the heart of the order to drive in runs. The sky is truly the limit for this talented young shortstop.

Why De La Cruz is Exciting for Reds Fans

It has been a rough few years for the Reds and their fans. The team is rebuilding after trading away most veterans, leaving the farm system to provide hope for the future. De La Cruz represents a bright light and a potential franchise cornerstone.

His elite speed immediately jumps off the page - De La Cruz has the explosiveness on the basepaths fans love to see. He pairs this with smooth defense and a powerful throwing arm, flashing leather with flair.

De La Cruz also provides plenty of pop in his bat, hitting balls out to all fields. He has drawn comparisons to Fernando Tatis Jr. and Carlos Correa for his exciting power/speed/defense potential at shortstop.

Reds fans should be ecstatic to watch De La Cruz continue his rapid ascent toward Cincinnati. The talented young infielder will be a main attraction when he does arrive at the MLB level soon.

The Future is Bright in Cincinnati

Elly De La Cruz represents a big part of the bright future taking shape for the Reds. Along with other top prospects like Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, and Cam Collier, De La Cruz helps comprise an exciting young core of talent.

The team may struggle at times during this rebuilding period, but De La Cruz injects plenty of hope and anticipation. Fans can dream about seeing his electric talent on display soon at the MLB level.

At just 20 years old, De La Cruz is already maturing into one of the best prospects in baseball. His continued development will be a major storyline for the Reds in 2023 and beyond. The sky remains the limit for this talented young shortstop - the future in Cincinnati is in good hands.

FAQs

When was Elly De La Cruz signed by the Reds?

De La Cruz was signed by the Reds in 2018 as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic.

What level did De La Cruz play at in 2022?

In 2022, De La Cruz played at the Double-A level with the Chattanooga Lookouts.

How did De La Cruz perform in Double-A in 2022?

De La Cruz batted .308 with 19 home runs, 75 RBIs and 35 stolen bases, while playing outstanding defense at shortstop.

Where will De La Cruz start the 2023 season?

De La Cruz is expected to start 2023 at Triple-A Louisville before potential midseason promotion to MLB.

What is De La Cruz's scouting report?

De La Cruz is a five-tool shortstop with elite speed, defense, arm strength, emerging power, and advanced hitting approach.