Baseball fans love a player who brings excitement to the field, and Elly De La Cruz stats delivers that in spades. This young Cincinnati Reds shortstop combines jaw-dropping speed, raw power, and a flair for the dramatic that keeps everyone talking. As of March 20, 2025, his stats tell a story of a superstar in the making, and his latest performances hint at even bigger things to come. Let’s dive into the numbers, explore what makes Elly special, and see why he’s turning heads across Major League Baseball.
Who Is Elly De La Cruz?
Elly De La Cruz stats burst onto the MLB scene with a mix of talent and charisma that’s hard to ignore. Born on January 11, 2002, in Sabana Grande de Boyá, Dominican Republic, he signed with the Reds as an international free agent in 2018 for just $65,000. At 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, he stands out as one of the tallest shortstops in the game, yet he moves like a sprinter and hits like a slugger. His journey from a lesser-known prospect to a 2024 All-Star shows his relentless drive and natural gifts.
Elly made his MLB debut on June 6, 2023, and quickly became a fan favorite. He plays with a swagger that matches his skills, stealing bases with ease and launching home runs that leave pitchers shaking their heads. Now, in his second full season, the 23-year-old continues to refine his game, and his stats reflect a player ready to dominate. So, what do the numbers say about Elly De La Cruz in 2025?
A Look at Elly’s Career Stats So Far
Before jumping into the latest updates, let’s set the stage with a snapshot of his career through 2024. Elly has played two MLB seasons, and his stats already scream potential. In 258 games, he boasts a .250 batting average, 38 home runs, 113 RBIs, and 102 stolen bases. His speed shines brightest, with a league-leading 67 steals in 2024, but his power keeps pitchers honest too.
In his rookie year of 2023, Elly appeared in 98 games, hitting .235 with 13 homers and 35 steals. He showed flashes of brilliance, like hitting for the cycle against the Atlanta Braves and stealing second, third, and home in the same inning against the Milwaukee Brewers. Then, in 2024, he took a massive leap forward, playing 160 games, batting .259, smashing 25 home runs, and racking up 67 stolen bases. That 20-homer, 60-steal season put him in rare company—only four other players in MLB history hit those marks in a single year.
Spring Training 2025: Elly’s Hot Start
Now, let’s fast-forward to March 20, 2025, and check out Elly’s spring training performance. Spring stats don’t count in the official record, but they offer a sneak peek at what’s coming. This year, Elly looks sharper than ever, and the numbers back it up. In 13 games and roughly 32 plate appearances with Statcast data, he’s hitting over .500, reaching base every game, and showing serious improvements.
For comparison, his 2024 regular season saw a 91.8 mph average exit velocity, a .349 wOBA (weighted on-base average), and a 45.7% hard-hit rate. In spring 2025, those numbers jump to 93.3 mph exit velocity, a .528 wOBA, and a 47.4% hard-hit rate. He’s crushing the ball harder and more often. Plus, his contact rate in the strike zone climbs from 75.6% to 88.6%, while his chase rate drops from 26.9% to 19.5%. Even his whiff rate improves, falling from 33.4% to 26.9%. These tweaks suggest Elly’s working hard to cut down on strikeouts—a key focus for 2025.
Power Meets Precision
Elly’s spring stats highlight his growing power and plate discipline. He smacks two home runs from both sides of the plate in a single game during his Cactus League debut, totaling 859 feet of distance. That kind of pop grabs attention, especially for a switch-hitter. Meanwhile, his strikeout rate dips to 25.9% in 27 at-bats, down from 35.2% in 2024, where he led the league with 218 strikeouts. If he maintains this trend, he could boost his batting average and on-base percentage significantly.
Fans and analysts notice these changes too. Posts on X rave about his .550 spring batting average early in March and his 13-game on-base streak, the longest by a Red since Eugenio Suárez in 2016. Elly’s not just swinging for the fences—he’s making smarter swings. This blend of power and precision could make 2025 his breakout year.
Breaking Down Elly’s 2024 Season
To understand where Elly’s heading, let’s rewind to 2024 and dissect his full-season stats. He plays 160 games, nearly every contest for the Reds, proving his durability. His .259 batting average comes with 25 home runs, 76 RBIs, 105 runs scored, and those 67 stolen bases. He also leads the National League with 10 triples and ties for fifth with seven more. His .343 on-base percentage and .476 slugging percentage give him an .819 OPS—solid for a 22-year-old in his first full season.
However, 2024 isn’t flawless. Elly strikes out 218 times, the most in MLB, and commits 29 errors, also a league high. He gets caught stealing 16 times and makes 15 non-stealing outs on the bases. These miscues show his youth and aggressive style, but they don’t overshadow his impact. His 120 wRC+ (weighted runs created plus) rates him 20% above league average offensively, and his 5.8 WAR (wins above replacement) ranks him among the NL’s top players.
Speed That Stuns
Elly’s speed defines him. His 67 steals in 2024 break the Reds’ pre-All-Star break record with 45, topping Billy Hamilton’s 44 from 2015. He finishes the year as the fifth player since 1900 to hit 20+ homers and steal 60+ bases, joining legends like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Rickey Henderson. Statcast clocks him at 30.5 feet per second, tying him with Bobby Witt Jr. as the fastest in baseball. Whether he’s legging out triples or swiping bags, Elly turns routine plays into highlights.
What’s New for 2025?
Elly doesn’t rest on his laurels. This offseason, he revamps his batting stance with new Reds hitting coach Chris Valaika. He adopts a more open stance and stands taller, aiming for “controlled aggression” to reduce strikeouts. Manager Terry Francona, who takes over in 2025, envisions Elly as “the best player in baseball on the best team in baseball.” That’s a bold goal, but Elly’s spring stats suggest he’s on track.
Moreover, Elly’s defensive game gets attention. His 29 errors in 2024 sting, but his arm strength—clocked at 97.9 mph on a record-breaking infield assist in 2023—remains elite. Francona believes experience will smooth out the mistakes. With more at-bats and innings, the game slows down, and Elly’s athleticism takes over. If he sharpens his glove and keeps tweaking his swing, he could chase MVP honors.
FAQs
What are Elly De La Cruz’s standout stats from the 2024 season?
Elly De La Cruz stats shines in 2024 with a .259 batting average, 25 home runs, 76 RBIs, and a league-leading 67 stolen bases in 160 games. He also leads the NL with 10 triples and scores 105 runs, showcasing his rare power-speed blend. Despite leading the league with 218 strikeouts and 29 errors, his 5.8 WAR highlights his overall value to the Reds.
How has Elly improved in spring training 2025 compared to 2024?
In spring 2025, Elly boosted his average exit velocity to 93.3 mph from 91.8 mph and his wOBA to .528 from .349, hitting over .500 in 13 games. His strikeout rate drops to 25.9% from 35.2%, and his zone contact rate rises to 88.6% from 75.6%. These gains show he’s refining his approach and cutting down on whiffs.
Why does Elly De La Cruz strike out so much, and what’s he doing about it?
Elly’s 218 strikeouts in 2024 stem from his aggressive swing and 6-foot-5 frame, which can make low pitches tough to hit. He worked with coach Chris Valaika in 2025, adopting a taller, more open stance to improve balance and control. His spring whiff rate falls to 26.9% from 33.4%, signaling progress.
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