On Monday, Elly De La Cruz made a lasting impression on the Cincinnati Reds as he hit two home runs for the first time this season, leading them to a 10-8 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. The 22-year-old shortstop’s exceptional power and speed were on full display in both homers. In the fifth inning, De La Cruz crushed a fastball from JB Bukauskas to the batter’s eye with Statcast measuring the distance at 450 feet and the exit velocity at 112.3 mph.
De La Cruz’s second home run came in the seventh inning when he hit an inside-the-park homer after Brewers center fielder Sal Frelick missed a diving catch. He completed the trip around the bases in only 14.96 seconds, showcasing his incredible sprint speed. With both his power and speed on display, it is clear why De La Cruz is considered one of the most exciting young players in the league.
De La Cruz finished the game with three hits in four at-bats, scoring four runs, driving in three, and stealing a base. He became the first MLB player to achieve an impressive combination of hitting a home run from both sides of the plate, hitting an over-the-fence homer, an inside-the-park homer, scoring four runs, and stealing a base in a single game. His unique blend of strength, speed, and defensive skills make him a rare talent in baseball today.
Despite maintaining a high strikeout rate this season with a .297/.366/.595 batting line in 10 games and 41 plate appearances, De La Cruz has been off to an impressive start for himself and for his teammates on their record improvement to 6-4 with their victory over Milwaukee Brewers thanks to his outstanding performance that day.
With his all-around skills on full display and poised to make significant impact for years to come
