Elly De La Cruz Makes History As Reds Sweep Cubs
Elly De La Cruz Makes History As Reds Sweep Cubs...
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz is dominating headlines after leading his team to a series sweep against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. The 24-year-old phenom went 4-for-5 with two home runs, becoming the first Reds player since 2009 to record multiple 4-hit games in a single month.
De La Cruz's performance capped a stunning three-game stretch where he batted .632 with 10 RBIs. His second-inning 450-foot blast to center field at Wrigley Field marked the longest home run by any visiting player this season. The Cubs' broadcast team called it "one of the most impressive swings we've seen all year."
Social media erupted with highlights of De La Cruz's performance, with #Elly trending nationally on Twitter. MLB Network analysts noted his unique combination of power and speed makes him a legitimate MVP candidate. The Reds have won seven straight games since moving De La Cruz to the leadoff spot on April 17.
Cincinnati manager David Bell told reporters after the game: "When Elly gets hot like this, he changes everything about how pitchers approach our lineup." The sweep moved the Reds into first place in the NL Central, their latest division lead since September 2021.
De La Cruz's breakout comes at a crucial time for baseball's attention cycle. With NBA playoffs underway and NFL Draft coverage dominating sports media, his historic performance provided a compelling baseball storyline. ESPN's SportsCenter led with his highlights during Thursday's late-night edition.
The Dominican-born infielder now leads the National League in slugging percentage (.712) and stolen bases (14). His 1.147 OPS in April ranks third among all MLB players behind only Mike Trout and Juan Soto. Baseball Reference's similarity scores compare his early career trajectory to a young Alex Rodriguez.
Reds fans packed Great American Ball Park for Friday's homestand opener against the Cardinals, many wearing De La Cruz jerseys. The team announced special ticket promotions for next week's series, capitalizing on surging interest. Merchandise sales of De La Cruz apparel have increased 300% since Opening Day according to MLB Shop data.
Scouts from six other MLB clubs attended Thursday's game, with multiple executives telling The Athletic they consider De La Cruz "the most exciting player to enter the league since Ronald Acuña Jr." His combination of elite exit velocity (95.8 mph average) and baserunning speed (30.5 ft/sec) puts him in the 99th percentile for both metrics.
With the Reds now positioned as surprise contenders, De La Cruz's emergence could reshape the NL playoff picture. His next opportunity comes Saturday night against St. Louis, where he'll face Cardinals ace Sonny Gray in a marquee matchup already drawing national attention.
