Elly De La Cruz: A New Star in Cincinnati's Firmament
The Cincinnati Reds may have fallen short of postseason glory this year, but one beacon of hope shone brightly over the Great American Ball Park: Elly De La Cruz. At just 22 years old, De La Cruz has catapulted himself into the annals of baseball history with a season marked by a powerful blend of speed and strength.
A Remarkable Feat: Power and Speed
Elly De La Cruz’s 2023 season has been nothing short of sensational. He has become a charter member of a new power/speed club, joining an elite group of players who have achieved remarkable milestones in their early careers. Among these milestones, De La Cruz has stolen 100 bases within his first two seasons, placing him alongside legends like Vince Coleman and Rickey Henderson.
On a memorable Saturday game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, De La Cruz hammered his 25th home run of the season, solidifying his status as the first shortstop ever to post a season with at least 25 home runs and 65 stolen bases. He is now only the fifth player in baseball history to achieve such a feat in a single season, further cementing his legacy in the sport.
Metrics of Excellence
Beyond these headline-grabbing stats, De La Cruz's overall performance has been impressive. He ended the season with a .260 batting average, complemented by a .343 on-base percentage and a .471 slugging percentage. His contributions have been quantified with a stellar 4.9 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), ranking him fifth in the National League. Only giants of the game such as Shohei Ohtani (8.0), Matt Chapman (6.9), Francisco Lindor (6.6), and Ketel Marte (6.1) placed higher, highlighting the prodigious talent of the young shortstop.
A Season of What-Ifs for the Reds
Despite De La Cruz’s stellar individual performance, the Cincinnati Reds ended the season with a disappointing 75-80 record, which saw them eliminated from postseason contention. This continued a trend of underwhelming results for the franchise, whose last playoff appearance came during the shortened 2020 season. The Reds have struggled to replicate that success in a full 162-game season since 2013, leaving fans yearning for a return to the glory days.
Yet, the season was not without its moments of brilliance and reason for optimism, largely thanks to De La Cruz. His emergence provides a glimmer of hope for a franchise that has seen its fair share of ups and downs over the past decade. With a young, dynamic player like him on the roster, the Reds could be poised for a resurgence in the coming seasons.
Looking Ahead
As the Cincinnati Reds head into the offseason, the focus will undoubtedly be on how they can build around their young star. Elly De La Cruz’s extraordinary combination of power and speed offers a unique foundation upon which to construct a competitive team. The challenge for the Reds' management will be to surround him with the talent necessary to turn personal accolades into team success.
For now, fans can revel in the excitement of witnessing one of baseball’s most promising young talents. Elly De La Cruz's 2023 season will be remembered as one of the great rookie campaigns, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying career. If his debut performance is any indicator, the Cincinnati Reds and their fans have much to look forward to in the years ahead.