The Cincinnati Reds are promoting 6-foot-5 shortstop Elly De La Cruz to make his major league debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Reds announced Tuesday that they called up the 21-year-old from Triple-A, giving one of the hottest talents in the minor leagues his first taste of the big leagues.
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Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds plays shortstop in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 10, 2023 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
De La Cruz fills in for infielder/outfielder Nick Senzel. Senzel was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right knee injury. Senzel was a late scratch on Monday.
Baseball America ranks De La Cruz as the third best prospect in the sport, citing a tempting combination of power and speed. He is hitting .298 with 12 home runs, 11 stolen bases and a 1.031 OPS with Triple-A Louisville this season.
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Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds poses for a portrait during picture day at Goodyear Ballpark on February 21, 2023 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Signed out of the Dominican Republic as a teenager, De La Cruz hit 28 home runs and 47 stolen bases in Class A and Double-A last year.
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Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a bat in the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 10, 2023 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Remarkably, the Reds have remained on the fringes of the NL wild-card race this season thanks to great contributions from young players. Rookie Matt McLain has hit .329 while at shortstop, Hunter Greene, 23, has dominated at times and Andrew Abbott pitched six shutout innings in his major league debut Monday against Milwaukee.