The numbers speak for themselves. Elly De La Cruz is at a record pace for the Cincinnati Reds and is joining an elite company in baseball history.
Cincinnati Reds Phenom Achieves Rare Feat In Baseball History
Elly De La Cruz has been one of the most impressive players in baseball since making his debut last June. The Reds are off to their best start in 11 years, and their star shortstop is a big reason for this.
De La Cruz, who leads the majors with 25 stolen bases, is already on pace to win his first MVP. But 136 games into his young career, the 22-year-old has achieved a feat only four other MLB players have achieved. He is one of five players in MLB history with at least 20 home runs and 45 stolen bases in their first 162 career games.
Complete list of players with at least 20 homers and 45 stolen bases in their first 162 career games:
- Reds Elly De La Cruz* – 21 HR, 60 SB
- Phillies Trea Turner – 21 HR, 63 SB
- Angels Mike Trout – 32 HR, 49 SB
- Pirates Barry Bonds – 22 HR, 48 SB
- Reds Eric Davis – 25 HR, 52 SB
Historic Season Continues for Reds Star Elly De La Cruz
The Cincinnati Reds snapped an eight-game losing streak on Friday night. While Stuart Fairchild sealed the victory for Cincinnati with an inside-the-park home run, De La Cruz stole two more bases. Having stolen multiple bases for the third straight game, De La Cruz is nearing even more baseball history. Since at least 1901, only three players have stolen multiple bases in four consecutive games.
Elly De La Cruz has multiple SBs in 3 straight games.
only players to do so in 4 straight games (since at least 1901):
2014 Jose Altuve
1917 Ray Chapman
1904 Bill Dahlen— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 11, 2024
The 22-year-old shortstop is batting .271/.370/.519 with eight homers, 20 RBI, and a .889 OPS through 38 games. He leads the Reds in average and home runs, while his 30 runs are tied for seventh in the majors. De La Cruz has been more patient at the plate and has made more consistent contact in his second year. His noticeable improvements at the plate have given him more opportunities to wreak havoc on the bases. After finishing seventh in Rookie of the Year voting last season, De La Cruz is in line for his first All-Star selection.
Going into Saturday’s game against the San Francisco Giants, the Reds (17-21) sit six games back in the NL Central. Cincinnati is looking to make their first playoff appearance since 2020, and Elly De La Cruz is leading the way.
Main Photo Credits: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
