Cincinnati Reds’ shortstop Elly De La Cruz is making a strong case for the National League MVP with his remarkable performance early in the season. Despite being in just his first full season in the majors, De La Cruz is setting records. Recently, the 22-year-old achieved a feat not seen since 1922, becoming only the second player since 1900 to hit five home runs and steal 10 bases in the first 20 games of a season.
De La Cruz’s batting prowess is evident as he ranks among the top hitters in baseball. With a .651 slugging percentage, he stands third in the majors, and his OPS of 1.063 places him fourth. Leading the major leagues with 15 stolen bases, he’s also tied for second in the National League with seven home runs. Moreover, De La Cruz has made history by being the sole player to maintain a .300 batting average, hit five homers, steal 15 bases, and achieve a 1.000 OPS in the initial 24 games of a season. Additionally, he joins an elite group of Reds players to have recorded three stolen bases and a home run in a single game, surpassing Dave Concepción as the youngest Reds player to do so.
Currently, De La Cruz is on track to potentially hit 47 home runs, steal 101 bases, and drive in 122 runs by the end of the season, a remarkable feat compared to Ronald Acuña Jr.’s impressive stats when he won the NL MVP in 2023.
De La Cruz’s journey began with his major league debut on June 6th last year, where he immediately showcased his talent by hitting a 458-foot home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers the following day. Just two weeks later, he became the youngest player since 1972 to hit for the cycle. Despite a solid rookie season, batting .235/.300/.410 with 13 home runs and 35 stolen bases in 98 games, De La Cruz has notably improved his power and speed this year, solidifying his status as one of baseball’s most exciting players. With his exceptional start to the season, De La Cruz is already a strong contender for the National League MVP award.
