The Cincinnati Reds are 14-10 on the year and currently sit a game and a half back of division-leading Milwaukee Brewers right now. This Reds team is dealing with injuries and suspensions that have caused Manager David Bell to shuffle his lineup all year. Matt McLain, TJ Friedl, Noelvi Marte all anticipated to play big roles with the team this year are missing. Spencer Steer started the year on fire, while Elly De La Cruz got off to an average start.
SS – Elly De La Cruz
In the first nine games of the year, he had 33 at-bats, seven runs scored, no home runs, three RBIs, three walks, 17 strikeouts, and five steals. He started the year off hitting .242 which is not horrible, but it’s what he has done in the last 15 games that has me excited for the young shortstop. In the last, 15 games, he has been hitting slashing .360/.467/.820. He has been red hot the last seven games slashing .429/.556/.905. In his last seven games, he has eight runs scored, three home runs, six RBIs, six walks, six strikeouts, and eight stolen bases.
Patience is Key
The one thing I have noticed over the last few games especially is his eye and waiting for the pitches he can drive. Last season he was a free swinger striking out 144 times and only walking 35 times in 98 games. a K% over 37 last year was not ideal at all for Cruz followed up by a nine percent walk rate was tough. This season he has 13 walks already on the season and 31 strikeouts. His walk rate so far this year is over 15%, while his K% remains around 37 percent. He is on pace for 87 walks this season. Cruz’s walking is just as good as a single, especially with no one ahead of him. He currently has 15 steals on the year which puts him on pace for over 100 stolen bases this year. If he keeps up the pace he would score 155 runs this year as well.
Pace for Record-setting year
I mentioned Cruz being on pace for triple-digit steals already, but with seven home runs already, he is on pace for over 40 bombs this year as well, along with over thirty doubles and just shy of ten triples this year to go with 121 RBIs. Now I know it’s early, but if Cruz can keep up this pace the young Red could find himself at the top of the MVP voting by the end of the year.
Wrap Up
I strongly feel that as Cruz roles so will the Reds offensively as he is such a catalyst for this team. While Friedl and McLain are on the mend, this team needs his production to stay afloat in the NL Central race. The kid is a one-of-a-kind talent with a power and speed combo that is very unique given his size. With a Healthy TJ Friedl and hopefully the return of Matt McLain this team can be very dangerous offensively as long as the rest of the roster starts to put up numbers like they can. If the Reds make the playoffs Elly De La Cruz will be a huge part of the reason and be headed for MVP discussions perhaps!
