STATS LLC. Football Analytics;
PFWA;
NFL Draft Scout for Optimum Scouting,
Scouting Academy Alum,
Ball State University Alum
Former MLB Official Scorer
For whatever reason, too many fans seem to focus on what Elly De La Cruz isn’t, and miss what he is becoming.
They focus on his future, more than his present.
He’s 24-years old. He’s in his 3rd full MLB season. He’s played fewer than 450 MLB games.
Right now, he’s hitting .281-.361-.563-.924 with an OPS+ of 152. He’s on pace for 30 doubles, 51 homers, 132 runs, 101 RBI, 50 stolen bases, 81 walks. That would produce the second 50/50 season in MLB history, joining Shohei Ohtani.
He’s scored a run in 12 of their 16 games, collected a hit in 13 of those games, and been on base in 13 straight games.
For as much as fans complain about injuries, and players not playing with injuries, Elly's played 234 consecutive games for the Reds. That's the 5th longest streak by a Red since 1970.
He’s improving as a right-handed hitter, facing left-handed pitching.
2023 .184 w/ 2 HR in 122 PA
2024 .224 w/ 6 HR in 217 PA
2025 .236 w/ 5 HR in 210 PA
2026 .318 w/ 4 HR in 33 PA
He’s yet to commit an error this season. I get it, official scoring isn’t what it once was. But then turn to the metrics. He’s T-3rd in Outs Above Average at +2. Last season he was T-26th (-3). He’s T-6th in defensive runs saved (+1) , after -5 in 2025.
He’s getting better. He answers the bell to play every day. He’s impacting the game at the plate, in the field and on the bases.
Stop worrying about his strike outs. He’s going to strike out. Everyone strikes out.
Stop worrying about moving him to center field. He’s a shortstop. I offer this to every ‘move Elly' conversation: Perspective.
Dave Concepcion: 30 errors age 26, 27 errors age 28 and 31.
Barry Larkin: 29 errors age 24
Derek Jeter: 56 errors age 19 and 29 errors age 21
Robin Yount: 44 errors age 19, 30 errors age 22
Omar Vizquel: 25 errors age 20 and age 21
Ozzie Smith: 25 errors age 23, 22 errors age 33
Alan Trammell: 26 errors age 21
Cal Ripken: 25-25-26 errors, age 22-23-24
Young shortstops take time to learn, develop and settle into the shortstop position.
And finally, stop worrying about him being a Dodger or a Yankee. He won’t even reach free agency until 2030. It’s 2026, for goodness sakes.
Enjoy him. Appreciate him. He’s the best player on the #Reds. He’s one of the best players in the game.
@DMackHabits @ufhelicopters A - It doesn't matter, by rule (even if he misses) it is an automatic ejection.
B - in what world would any sane person punch a ball that he also has his other arm wrapped around?
Someone make this make sense to me
Out of bounds challenges have been SUCCESSFUL 72% of the time this season. And that's challenging 1-2 a game.
We are told to believe refs are right 96% of the time? 😂😂😂😂😂😂 I bet that number is closer to 50% than 96%