In a season marked by both explosive power and blistering speed, Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz has etched his name into baseball history. At just 22 years old, De La Cruz has established himself as a unique talent, demonstrating a combination of skills that few in the sport have ever showcased.
De La Cruz has become a charter member of a newly defined power/speed club, an elite group of players known for their ability to hit home runs and steal bases at remarkable rates. This season, he distinguished himself by hitting 25 home runs, a milestone he reached during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. Equally impressive, he joined the ranks of legendary speedsters like Vince Coleman and Rickey Henderson as one of the few players to steal 100 bases in their first two seasons.
Among shortstops, De La Cruz stands alone. No other player at his position has ever finished a season with at least 25 home runs and 65 stolen bases. His ability to contribute significantly in both power and speed metrics sets him apart in the annals of baseball history. Indeed, only four other players in the history of the sport have achieved the combination of 25 home runs and 65 stolen bases in a single season.
Beyond his sheer athletic prowess, De La Cruz's individual statistics further underscore his value to the Cincinnati Reds. He concluded the season with a .260 batting average, a .343 on-base percentage, and a .471 slugging percentage. These numbers reflect his well-rounded offensive game, combining contact, plate discipline, and power hitting.
Elly De La Cruz's comprehensive skill set translated into a 4.9 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), ranking him fifth in the National League. This metric, which assesses a player's total contributions to their team compared to a replacement-level player, highlights the significant impact De La Cruz had on the Reds' performance this season. The only players surpassing his WAR figure were Shohei Ohtani (8.0), Matt Chapman (6.9), Francisco Lindor (6.6), and Ketel Marte (6.1).
However, despite De La Cruz's remarkable achievements, the Cincinnati Reds as a team experienced a challenging season. The Reds finished with a 75-80 record, and with those results, they were eliminated from postseason contention. This marked a continuation of the struggles the team has faced since their last playoff appearance during the shortened 2020 season. In fact, the Reds have not seen similar success over a full 162-game season since 2013.
Elly De La Cruz's historic individual performance provides a glimmer of hope and excitement for Reds fans. As the franchise looks to build for the future, his presence presents a cornerstone around which the team can assemble more competitive rosters. For now, De La Cruz's combination of power, speed, and overall value stands as a testament to his burgeoning stardom and the promise of brighter days ahead for the Cincinnati Reds.