Since was called up to the big leagues last month, Cincinnati Reds rookie sensation Elly De La Cruz has taken the Major League Baseball world by storm and has already etched his name in the history books and hit some wild milestones on a number of occasions. And he did it again on Sunday afternoon.
During Sunday afternoon’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Elly De La Cruz fielded a chopped, bouncing ground ball to the left side of the infield and realized that he needed to make a strong throw to first base in order to get the runner out. And he certainly did just that.
De La Cruz fired an absolute missile to first base, beating runner Joey Wiemer. But it wasn’t just a fast throw to first, it was the fastest ever recorded.
97.9 MPH from Elly, a.k.a. the fastest infield assist in the Statcast era 😮💨@ellylacocoa18 pic.twitter.com/B1h1hN9k8q
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 16, 2023
According to Major League Baseball, the throw from De La Cruz hit 97.9 miles per hour, which marks the fastest infield assist in the Statcast era.
It’s certainly an impressive move from the rookie, and it led to plenty of reactions from the Major League Baseball world on social media.
https://twitter.com/JaMarrJungle/status/1680651465797320708?s=20
‘The Cannon’ strikes again.
Elly De La Cruz 97+ MPH on the throw. @WLWT #Reds pic.twitter.com/wBNZgd7eq9
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) July 16, 2023
Is there anything Elly De La Cruz can’t do? 😅
He just recorded the fastest infield assist in the Statcast era.
+280 to win NL Rookie of the Year on @FanDuelCanada 👀
(🎥:@Reds)pic.twitter.com/4vBDBp7ATi
— TSN EDGE (@TSN_Edge) July 16, 2023
https://twitter.com/mlbfanscanada/status/1680655405167304709?s=20
Have no fear, Elly De La Cruz is here!#MILvsCIN | @BallySportsCIN | #ATOBTTR pic.twitter.com/pey36a9mqM
— Bally Sports (@BallySports) July 16, 2023
This kid is so much fun to watch! https://t.co/EIOE1Sb4aW
— Jo's tweets (@kindlejo_jo) July 16, 2023
Just give him Rookie of the Year now https://t.co/apryM6mTJT
— Lundy – Certified Skannoisseur (@SkaLundy) July 16, 2023
https://twitter.com/secretcabdriver/status/1680651998176092160?s=20
It’s worth noting that this isn’t even the most impressive thing that De La Cruz has done in his last five games as last Saturday he made headlines for stealing three bases – including home – on just two pitches.
It looks like the Reds got a good one.
