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MLB Stock Up, Stock Down: Angels, Braves, De La Cruz and All-Star Game

By Scott Roche

Jun 18, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) celebrates with designated hitter Matt McLain (9) after the game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) celebrates with designated hitter Matt McLain (9) after the game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 6, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) slides into third base after a fly out by Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (not pictured) against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 6, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) slides into third base after a fly out by Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (not pictured) against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock Up: Cincinnati Reds young star Elly De La Cruz adds to the hype

There has been a lot of hype surrounding Cincinnati Reds’ young star Elly De La Cruz and rightfully so. He busted onto the scene as an exciting young player and made a big impact which is part of the reason why they were able to go on a 12-game winning streak last month.

He struggled in a three-game series against San Diego at home, going 2-for-13, but he made up for it and then some against the Washington Nationals in a four-game series in the nation’s capital during their Fourth of July series. He went 10-for-16 with three doubles, a home run, four runs scored, and three RBI.

Things were going so well for De La Cruz that Nationals manager Davey Martinez asked the umpiring crew to check his bat before his first plate appearance during the second inning on Wednesday. Martinez requested that the umpires perform an equipment rules check on his bat regarding the housing of a swing tracker that was covering the knob. Crew chief Adrian Johnson made the Reds slugger take off the knob cover until MLB told Washington it was approved.

After striking out without the knob, De La Cruz exacted revenge by blasting a solo home run to the second deck at Nationals Park in the fifth inning of a 9-2 win.

De La Cruz is quickly rising into a must-watch player on a team that is turning into one of the best stories in the majors with their turnaround that has them on top in the NL Central nearing the mid-summer break ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers. If there is an example of someone’s stock rising during a season, it’s De La Cruz.

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