Elly De La Cruz shines spotlight on historic 2024 MLB season with Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds starting shortstop Elly De La Cruz had an amazing 2024 MLB season. This was his first full season in the MLB after having played 98 games in the year before. The Dominican reflected on his 2024 season after sharing a post on social media.
Take a look at the post here:
"Year two Elly," captioned the Reds on Instagram.
Elly De La Cruz signed with the Reds as an international free agent in 2018. He received a one-year deal that included a $65,000 signing bonus for his services and made his professional debut in 2019 with the Dominican Summer League Reds at just 17 years of age. The 2020 season was marred by restrictions of the COVID pandemic, but he made the transition to the minor leagues in 2021.
After spending two years in the MiLB and quickly moving up the pecking order, he was promoted to the major league roster in June 2023. He played a total of 98 games last season impressing the analysts with his brute exit velocities and amazing base running speed. He finished the 2023 season with a .235 batting average, 13 home runs, 44 RBIs and a .710 OPS.
He set the tone for the 2024 season after producing some eye-catching highlights last year. The Reds expected him to continue his good form and De La Cruz was finally ready for his first full season in the MLB after getting named in the Opening Day roster in March.
Elly De La Cruz registered an impressive stat line in 2024 MLB season
The Reds finished fourth in the NL Central standings with a 77-85 record but Elly De La Cruz was the MLB stolen bases leader as he registered a record 67 stolen bases in 2024.
On the offensive end, he finished with a .259 batting average, 25 home runs, 76 RBIs, and a .809 OPS while crushing a personal best 71 extra-base hits in the recently culminated baseball season.
De La Cruz still has a lot of playing time left ahead of him, and his electrifying performances will surely be something to keep an eye on in the MLB seasons to come.