Elly De La Cruz, a 21-year-old switch-hitter and newcomer for the Cincinnati Reds, hit his first major league homer off the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Noah Syndergaard in Wednesday night’s game. With fellow rookie Matt McLain on second base in the first inning, De La Cruz smashed an 0-1 fastball that left the bat at 114.8 mph and landed in the last rows of the right-field stands at Great American Ball Park. The 458-foot, two-run drive helped lead the Reds to an 8-6 win.
De La Cruz Named Baseball’s Top Prospect by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel
Elly De La Cruz was named baseball’s top prospect by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel in his updated rankings last month. The Dominican Republic shortstop hit .298 with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs in 38 games for Triple-A Louisville this season.
De La Cruz Triples and Sets New Records
De La Cruz continued his impressive debut performance by tripling on a curveball in the third inning, a drive that went to the wall in right-center on four hops. He reached third in 10.83 seconds, the fastest time in the major leagues this season, according to Statcast. It was the second-fastest time since the start of the 2020 season, behind 10.75 seconds for the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll last Oct. 3.
De La Cruz’s Home Run is Among the Hardest-Hit by a Player 21 or Younger
De La Cruz’s home run was the second-hardest-hit by a player 21 or younger since Statcast started tracking in 2015. A homer by the Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on Aug. 21, 2020, had an exit velocity of 115.9 mph. Wednesday night’s home run came in his sixth plate appearance.
Overall, Elly De La Cruz’s debut performance with the Cincinnati Reds was impressive. He hit his first major league homer, tripled, and set new records, proving himself to be a valuable addition to the team.
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