Elly De La Cruz, the talented infielder for the Cincinnati Reds, is making waves in Major League Baseball like few young players can. The buzz surrounding him isn’t just hype; it’s grounded in the kind of performance and talent that often indicates the birth of a superstar. As he progresses through his career, analysts are beginning to predict that we have yet to see the best of what De La Cruz has to offer.
Just recently, De La Cruz made a remarkable leap in MLB Network’s 2025 Top 100 rankings, jumping an impressive 39 spots to land at No. 31. That’s no small feat! Greg Amsinger, an esteemed analyst known for his insightful predictions, boldly stated that De La Cruz is on an upward trajectory that could soon place him among the top three players in the league. “This is a top 20 talent,” Amsinger emphasized. “Mark my words, Elly De La Cruz will be a perennial top three player on this list. I say top three because of Shohei Ohtani,” highlighting the competition he faces but also the incredible potential he possesses.
In 2024, De La Cruz clinched his first All-Star appearance, participating in all 160 games of the season. He posted a respectable batting average of .259, alongside 25 home runs and 76 RBIs. What stands out even more, however, is his eye-popping statistic of 67 stolen bases, placing him at the top of the league in that category. Achieving a 20/60 season—a combination of home runs and stolen bases—is incredibly rare and spotlights his versatility on the field. His speed combined with strength makes him a nightmare for opposing teams.
But even superstars have room to grow. While De La Cruz dazzled with his excitement and capability, he also topped the league with 218 strikeouts and faced the occasional hiccup on the basepaths, getting caught stealing 16 times. As he gears up for his third season, the focus for both him and the Reds will be on consistency—reducing those errors and honing his skill set to become a more polished player.
The impressive numbers he’s racked up in just 258 games tell a compelling story. With 38 home runs, 120 RBIs, and a staggering 102 stolen bases already under his belt, it’s clear that addressing even a few areas in his game could translate to even better statistics in the future. This growth could spell trouble for the competition and provide a significant boost for the Reds, a franchise that has struggled to make a playoff appearance in recent years. If Cincinnati hopes to break their postseason drought, Elly De La Cruz needs to be at the forefront of that effort.
At just 23 years old, it’s incredible to think how much potential he possesses. Both MLB Network and the Reds firmly believe he has what it takes to evolve into a true superstar in the league. With the right coaching and his hunger to improve, the sky really is the limit for De La Cruz. His journey is just beginning, and fans can’t wait to see what he accomplishes next.
