On Monday, the Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz hit his first two home runs of the season in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers. In the fifth inning, he crushed a fastball from JB Bukauskas to the batter’s eye for a 450-foot projected homer with an exit velocity of 112.3 mph. This blast was one of the longest home runs of the season so far.
De La Cruz’s second home run came in the seventh inning, where he hit an inside-the-park home run, showcasing his elite speed around the bases. Although this particular homer was made possible by a missed catch by a Brewers outfielder, De La Cruz’s time around the basepaths was impressive at only 14.96 seconds. Known for his speed, De La Cruz holds the title for the fastest sprint speed in MLB last season and showed off his running abilities once again with this homer.
With a 3-for-4 performance that included four runs, three RBIs, and a stolen base, De La Cruz made history with his unique combination of achievements in the game. As a top prospect known for his rare mix of power and speed as a shortstop, De La Cruz has been a player to watch. Despite his high strikeout rate, his offensive output is making an impact for the Reds this season, with a batting line of .297/.366/.595 through 10 games. The team improved to 6-4 with the win on Monday, thanks in large part to De La Cruz’s standout performance.
