International League fans got an extended look at Elly De La Cruz before the 21-year-old Reds shortstop ever stepped foot on a major league field.
They saw why De La Cruz was going to become one of the most exciting players the minute he arrived in MLB.
De La Cruz showed off his speed by turning in the fastest home-to-third time (10.97 seconds) of any Triple-A player. He also swiped 11 bags to go with three triples in just 38 games for Louisville.
It was a big hint of how he would quickly turn in the three fastest home-to-third times on triples in the majors after receiving his call-up on June 6.
At Triple-A he hit .298/.398/.633 with 12 home runs, while reining in his strikeout rate to 23% in his final 23 games, compared with 33% in his first 15.
De La Cruz's power also was apparent. As of mid-August, the hardest-hit ball in Triple-A or the majors was his 118.8 mph scorcher of a double on May 9 against Columbus. He also has the hardest-hit home run in Triple-A, a 450-foot blast that traveled at 117.7 mph.
And his arm was just as obvious. De La Cruz had a pair of 99 mph throws on infield assists-one as a shortstop and one as a third baseman-that remain the hardest throws tracked by Statcast on an infield out this season.
De La Cruz has shown 80-grade speed and arm strength-his raw power also has a case for 80-since he arrived in the majors. Triple-A fans can say they got to see it all first. -JJ Cooper
Williams' Power Arsenal Leads The Way
Bu hikaye Baseball America dergisinin September 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Baseball America dergisinin September 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
HOW THE MAJORS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS
When negotiating the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the MLB Players Association prioritized the earning power of young major league players, especially young stars.
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
Blaze Alexander entered spring training as a long shot to make the team, but there he was on March 28, starting and batting seventh in the D-backs’ Opening Day lineup.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Louisville Slugger makes Prime bat 30% harder by dipping into 1902 company patent
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
After narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament last year, UC Irvine is determined to finish strong
MORE HARM THAN GOOD?
Dramatically scaling back young pitchers’ workloads has failed to keep them healthier
GEM COLLECTOR
In just four years, Diamond Baseball Holdings has become the most powerful owner ever in Minor League Baseball. What is the plan for their 33 teams—and counting?
LIFE AFTER AFFILIATED BALL
For many minor league teams that lost their MLB affiliations, it has been business as usual— with some unexpected benefits
EARNING POWER
A dramatic upgrade to playing conditions for minor leaguersincluding pay, housing and nutrition has made pro baseball economically viable for all players
NOBODY'S PERFECT
No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday has one flaw in an otherwise airtight profile
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
At nearly every level of his professional career, outfielder Colton Cowser has taken time to acclimate. His major league debut last season was no different.
