Apr
How Elly De La Cruz and the Reds plan to contend this season
De La Cruz Leads Electrifying Reds Charge for Postseason Glory
Elly De La Cruz, the Cincinnati Reds’ young shortstop, exploded onto the scene last season. His electrifying combination of power, speed, and highlight-reel plays rekindled hope in a hungry fanbase. De La Cruz’s dazzling debut propelled the Reds into playoff contention, but they ultimately fell short.
How Elly De La Cruz and the Reds plan to contend this season
How Elly De La Cruz and the Reds plan to contend this season
“We were so close,” lamented second baseman Jonathan India. “It left a bitter taste. We have to turn that sting into motivation.”
This year, the Reds are laser-focused on translating De La Cruz’s potential into wins and reaching the postseason for the first time since 2020. The team boasts the National League’s fifth-best record, and De La Cruz is a key catalyst.
After an offseason dedicated to refining his hitting under the guidance of former major leaguer Fernando Tatis Sr., De La Cruz is delivering star-caliber performances. His impressive .313 batting average, .412 on-base percentage, and monstrous .651 slugging percentage translate to a sizzling 1.063 OPS, ranking fourth-best in all of Major League Baseball.
How Elly De La Cruz and the Reds plan to contend this season
How Elly De La Cruz and the Reds plan to contend this season
But what truly excites the Reds is De La Cruz’s newfound maturity. He’s cutting down on strikeouts, drawing more walks, and maintaining his game-changing power and speed – all at the tender age of 22.
“He’s miles ahead of most players his age with similar experience,” marveled Reds manager David Bell. “It’s incredible what he’s doing. We’re thrilled with his work ethic and his ability to handle the spotlight.”
Instead of pushing De La Cruz to change his approach, the Reds are fostering his development by encouraging him to learn and grow organically. This approach resonated with De La Cruz, who proactively sought guidance from Tatis Sr.
Tatis Sr., known for his work with players like reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., imparted a simple message that’s fueling De La Cruz’s success: “Be in control. Control yourself.”
De La Cruz has embraced this philosophy, shrinking the strike zone for opposing pitchers and significantly improving his strikeout-to-walk ratio.
“He’s put in the work,” acknowledged India. “He craves consistency and superstardom, and he has the potential to achieve it.”
However, the Reds understand that De La Cruz alone won’t carry them to the playoffs. They’ve bolstered the roster through free agency signings while capitalizing on the energy of their young core to attract veterans like reliever Brent Suter.
How Elly De La Cruz and the Reds plan to contend this season
How Elly De La Cruz and the Reds plan to contend this season
“The city was buzzing for this team,” Suter remarked. “Their brand of baseball is fast, aggressive, and exciting. It was clear the fans were falling in love.”
Maintaining this close-knit atmosphere while integrating veterans hinges on fostering a strong bond between De La Cruz and his new teammate, third baseman Jeimer Candelario. Candelario, a former top prospect who has blossomed in recent seasons, serves as a natural mentor for De La Cruz, and building a strong connection is a top priority.
How Elly De La Cruz and the Reds plan to contend this season
How Elly De La Cruz and the Reds plan to contend this season
“He’s eager to learn,” said Candelario. “He needs time, but playing every day will accelerate his progress.”
This balance between needing experience and being expected to perform permeates the Reds’ clubhouse. Three of their players – De La Cruz, Steer, and McLain – finished in the top seven of NL Rookie of the Year voting last season.
“We’re not afraid to make mistakes,” declared Steer. “We play with a fearless mentality.”
This fearless approach invigorated the team last year, fueled their offseason decisions, and with De La Cruz leading the charge, could propel the Reds back into October baseball.
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From: Tongassf
