Elly De La Cruz has done a lot of jaw-dropping things in his young career, but what he's doing this spring might be the most impressive stretch yet. Through his first 12 at-bats of Cactus League play, De La Cruz is 6-for-12 — and all six of his hits have gone for extra bases. That kind of production isn't just good. It's historically rare.
The 24-year-old shortstop has recorded an extra-base hit in five consecutive spring training games, tying the second-longest streak by a Red in the Cactus League era. The highlight came against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 12, when De La Cruz launched a 438-foot bomb over the center field wall at Camelback Ranch that sent social media into a frenzy.
A Stronger, More Dangerous Hitter
De La Cruz made it a priority this offseason to get physically stronger, and the early returns suggest it's paying off in a big way. After playing through a strained left quadriceps that sapped his power in the second half of 2025 — he hit just four home runs after the All-Star break — De La Cruz looks fully healthy and is driving the ball with authority from both sides of the plate.
In 2025, the switch-hitter played all 162 games and batted .264 with a .777 OPS, 22 homers, 86 RBI, and 37 stolen bases. Those are impressive numbers for a player who was clearly not 100% down the stretch. Now imagine what a fully healthy De La Cruz looks like over a full season.
Lineup Protection Changes Everything
The arrival of Eugenio Suárez, who signed a one-year, $15 million deal this winter, adds a dimension the Reds lacked last season. Suárez, coming off a 49-home-run campaign, is expected to bat cleanup behind De La Cruz, who will once again hit third. That protection means pitchers can no longer pitch around De La Cruz without consequences.
De La Cruz was among the first Reds players to reach out to Suárez when the signing was announced, and their chemistry is already evident in the clubhouse. The veteran's presence gives the entire lineup a different feel — and De La Cruz, freed from carrying the offense alone, appears to be thriving.
What It All Means for 2026
Spring training stats should always carry an asterisk, but the eye test here is undeniable. De La Cruz isn't just getting hits — he's punishing the baseball with a ferocity that suggests the best is yet to come. If the power surge carries into the regular season, Reds fans could be watching an MVP-caliber campaign from their franchise cornerstone. The only question is whether the league is ready for a fully healthy Elly De La Cruz. Based on what we've seen this March, the answer might be no.
