Elly De La Cruz has been a baseball analytics beast since making his MLB debut in June. He’s wowed fans and scouts with metrics such as exit velocity, sprint speed and arm strength.
Tuesday, the Cincinnati Reds shortstop made news for posting more conventional numbers.
With a stolen base in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels, De La Cruz reached his 20th steal of the season. Combined with his 10 home runs through 64 games, he became the fastest player in MLB history to reach the 10 home runs/20 steals mark.
Barry Bonds had held the record, taking 65 games to turn the trick in 1986.
Elly De La Cruz has 10 homers and 20 steals through 64 games, the quickest ever to reach that mark! pic.twitter.com/ZbOtvdPRMK
— MLB (@MLB) August 23, 2023
Yes, it’s an arbitrary statistical achievement, but the fact he’s keeping company with the elite Bonds shows the rare power-speed combination De La Cruz offers.
There is a huge contingent of fans out there who think De La Cruz is overrated. He strikes out a lot (96 Ks in 256 at-bats entering Tuesday) and doesn’t walk much (19 walks). Still, he’s just 21. How many legends were playing in the big leagues at that age, let alone had a strong command of the strike zone?
MLB fans generally toasted the Reds star’s achievement Tuesday, although more than a few haters showed up on social media.
such an exciting young player
— V ⚡️ (@vxltxgetv) August 23, 2023
MLB stats will be so random i swear. 😭 they’ll be like “this player was the first to ever hit 22 HRs, Steal 8 Bases, and Hit 3 triples in his first 87 games!”
— North Obama (@ObamaFBR) August 23, 2023
Running the Reds right into the playoffs
— Burt Macklin NY (@BurtyMacklin) August 23, 2023
Elly De La Strikeout also has a 34.5% K rate and a 95 WRC+
— Pirates disappoint me (@CyKeller23) August 23, 2023
Elly De La Cruz is the baseball gift that keeps on giving
— Blake Meyer (@Buhhlockaye) August 23, 2023
This kid is taking over the MLB!
— BallTalkSource (@BallTalkSource) August 23, 2023
[MLB.com]
