Height
6'6"
Weight
200 lbs
Age
24
College
N/A
Experience
3 yrs
Bats/Throws
B/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsA-
| Year | Team | GP | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS | SB | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 425 | 0.25438067 | 62 | 208 | 0.77376455 | 139 | 421 |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
AAV
$780K/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
Elly De La Cruz's one-year, $0.8M deal with the Reds earns an exceptional A+ CVI grade, representing one of the most team-friendly contracts in baseball. The 22-year-old shortstop is still in his pre-arbitration years, giving Cincinnati incredible surplus value on a player who has already established himself as an above-average starter with legitimate superstar upside. De La Cruz's rare combination of 30-30 potential, elite speed, and improving plate discipline makes him a franchise-caliber talent locked into league minimum salary, essentially giving the Reds a multi-win player for pocket change. With shortstop being one of the most premium positions in baseball and quality options increasingly scarce on the trade market, Cincinnati has secured a cornerstone piece who could anchor their competitive window for years. The financial flexibility this contract provides allows the Reds to allocate resources elsewhere while building around a potential perennial All-Star who's still developing his considerable tools. This deal represents the kind of cost-controlled talent acquisition that transforms organizations, making it a masterclass in roster construction value.
Fan & Media Sentiment
Elly De La Cruz has captured the baseball world's imagination like few young players in recent memory, with national media painting him as a legitimate MVP candidate and the cornerstone of Cincinnati's future. The overwhelmingly positive sentiment stems from his rare combination of elite speed, developing power, and defensive versatility at shortstop, creating the kind of five-tool excitement that drives highlight reels and fan engagement. Scott Boras representing him in potential extension talks signals that both player and organization view this as a franchise-defining relationship, even if typical agent posturing creates some negotiation theater. While his A+ media grade slightly outpaces his strong but not quite elite on-field production, the gap isn't dramatic — De La Cruz genuinely possesses the tools and early results that justify the hype. The narrative could shift if his strikeout rate doesn't improve or if defensive metrics regress, but for now, he's riding a wave of genuine optimism that reflects both his current impact and massive upside potential.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 4/10 | vs LAA | L 2-10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wed, 4/8 | @ MIA | L 4-7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
News & Buzz
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