Elly De La Cruz “becomes man of the people,” motivating Monte Plata children with an All-Star attitude, as shown in the pictures
Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz recently captivated fans in his home country of the Dominican Republic by making a special appearance in a game held in Monte Plata province. De La Cruz, wearing his full MLB All-Star uniform, took to the field, much to the delight of the young fans in attendance.
Community Connection
De La Cruz not only played but also interacted with the children, sharing baseball tips and life wisdom, further solidifying his reputation as a humble and down-to-earth player. Photos from the event, published on MLB’s official Instagram account, were captioned:
“A man of the people (and style).”
Fans in the comments praised De La Cruz’s humility and his strong connection with his local community. This offseason, the Reds’ shortstop has been enjoying time at his home in the Dominican Republic before gearing up for what promises to be an exciting MLB season for him and his team.
Elly De La Cruz: A Base-Stealing Phenomenon
According to a recent Sports Illustrated report, De La Cruz is the most aggressive base stealer in MLB, backed by new Statcast data. The numbers highlight his incredible impact on the basepaths:
- 67 stolen bases
- 16 caught stealing
- +50 bases gained above average
With an 80% success rate, De La Cruz’s speed and daring style make him a game-changing force on the bases. His raw speed, combined with his instincts, positions him as one of the premier base stealers in baseball.
Room for Growth
While De La Cruz’s numbers are already impressive, there’s potential for improvement:
- 69 walks in 618 plate appearances last season demonstrate his ability to draw walks but leave room for more consistency.
- His .339 on-base percentage (OBP) is solid but could increase, giving him more opportunities to showcase his base-stealing prowess.
If De La Cruz improves his OBP, he could aim for an elusive milestone: stealing 100 bases in a season, a feat last accomplished by Vince Coleman in 1987.
Looking Ahead
As Elly De La Cruz prepares for the 2025 season, both fans and analysts expect him to play a pivotal role in the Reds’ push for contention in the National League. His electrifying speed and natural charisma continue to make him a fan favorite on and off the field.
