One of the most exciting players in Major League Baseball made history on Wednesday night.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Ellie de la Cruz is one of the hardest hitters and fastest runners in baseball, a lethal combination that he’s used to his advantage all season.
De la Cruz stole his 60th base of the season on Wednesday, by far the most in major league baseball. Shohei Ohtani is second with 38.
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Ellie de la Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds slides in to steal third base during a game against the Miami Marlins at LawnDepot Park on August 6, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Jasen Vinlove/Miami Marlins/Getty Images)
With 21 home runs already under his belt before Wednesday, his steal moved him into the 20/60 home run club as just the fifth player in MLB history to do so — joining Joe Morgan, Rickey Henderson, Eric Davis and Ronald Acuna Jr.
De la Cruz made a name for himself with a strong start last season, batting .359 with a 1.063 OPS and eight stolen bases in his first 16 major league games, but over his final 82 games he batted just .210 with a .640 OPS.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Ellie de la Cruz (44) celebrates with Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) after hitting a three-run home run at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, June 6, 2024. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer/USA Today Network)
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Naturally, all eyes were on him at the start of the season to determine which version of De La Cruz was the real deal, and while the overall numbers suggest he’s somewhere in the middle, it’s clear what his potential is.
As of Wednesday, de la Cruz was batting .261 with an .828 OPS. His weaknesses are his strikeout rates — 167, leading the major leagues — but he could live with that if he could make up for it by turning singles into doubles with his baserunning.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Ellie de la Cruz (44) celebrates with Reds third baseman Jeimer Candelario (3) after hitting a three-run home run in the third inning to take a one-run lead during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on June 6, 2024. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer/USA Today Network)
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The Reds are 6 1/2 games out of the final postseason spot, but as long as they have an exceptionally talented athlete at shortstop, they have a bright future.
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