Elly De La Cruz spring debut. De La Cruz could easily join the 30/30 club this season if not the 40/40 club. He certainly has the speed, so the stolen bases should only be a matte

De La Cruz is hoping to build off a promising All-Star campaign in 2024. In 160 games last season, the shortstop led the big leagues in strikeouts (218) but also batted .259/.339/.471 with 25 homers and 67 stolen bases. He became the first player in MLB history to notch at least 100 stolen bases and 30 homers over his first two seasons.

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) during the annual team picture day at the Cincinnati Reds Player Development Complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.

Elly De La Cruz belts his second homer of the game to center field, tying the score at 2-2 in the botttom of the 4th inning

Reds manager Terry Francona says he wants Elly De La Cruz to be "the best player in baseball on the best team in baseball."

MLB Network unveiled its latest "Top 100 Right Now" rankings on Tuesday, revealing players ranked 21-40. Among the biggest risers was Reds' electrifying young star Elly De La Cruz, who soared 69 spots from last year to claim the No. 31 spot.