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Cincinnati Reds · Shortstop
At just 24 years old, De La Cruz remains one of baseball's most dynamic athletes with elite speed potential—evidenced by his 37 steals in 2025 and league-leading 67 the year prior—but last season raised legitimate concerns about his consistency and approach. His power collapsed in a brutal 74-game stretch from late June through mid-September when he hit just one homer, and his second-half numbers deteriorated significantly (.666 OPS, 28.2 K%) despite earlier improvements to his strikeout rate. Playing in Cincinnati's hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park, De La Cruz offers a rare blend of speed and power upside, but fantasy managers entering 2026 face a critical question: will he recalibrate at the plate and harness his incredible athleticism, or do his recent struggles signal deeper mechanical or mental issues? His ceiling remains among the game's highest as a young All-Star, but the recent volatility makes him a calculated risk rather than a safe source of consistent production across all offensive categories.
Elly De La Cruz cleared to return Monday after quad issue
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, who exited early Sunday due to quadriceps tightness, has been cleared to play Monday against the Padres. The star infielder will be evaluated further but appears to be on track for a quick return to the lineup after missing limited time.
Aug 31, 2026
Elly De La Cruz Powers Reds with Four Hits
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz delivered an exceptional performance going 4-for-6 with a home run, a double, and four runs scored in the team's 11-5 win over Arizona on Saturday. His multi-hit effort contributed significantly to the Reds' offensive explosion that night. Fantasy owners should continue to rely on De La Cruz as a productive middle-order contributor.
Aug 23, 2026
De La Cruz steals two bases in Reds win
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz went 1-for-4 with a walk and two stolen bases while scoring a run Friday in the Reds' 4-2 victory over St. Louis. De La Cruz continues to provide speed and baserunning value for Cincinnati fantasy rosters.
Jul 25, 2026
| Year | Team | G | PA | AB | AVG | HR | RBI | R | SB | K | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Cincinnati Reds | 98 | 427 | 388 | .235 | 13 | 44 | 67 | 35 | 144 | .300 | .410 | .710 |
| 2024 | Cincinnati Reds | 160 | 696 | 618 | .259 | 25 | 76 | 105 | 67 | 218 | .339 | .471 | .810 |
| 2025 | Cincinnati Reds | 162 | 699 | 629 | .264 | 22 | 86 | 102 | 37 | 181 | .336 | .440 | .776 |
| 2026 | Cincinnati Reds | 124 | 556 | 490 | .280 | 23 | 66 | 86 | 24 | 151 | .360 | .492 | .852 |
| Career | Totals | 544 | 2378 | 2125 | .261 | 83 | 272 | 360 | 163 | 694 | .336 | .456 | .792 |
Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand
| Year | Team | G | PA | AB | AVG | HR | RBI | R | SB | K | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | DSL Reds | 43 | 186 | 165 | .285 | 1 | 26 | 24 | 3 | 45 | .351 | .382 | .733 |
| 2021 | 2 teams▼ | 61 | 265 | 247 | .296 | 8 | 42 | 35 | 10 | 80 | .336 | .538 | .874 |
| 2022 | 2 teams▼ | 120 | 513 | 471 | .304 | 28 | 86 | 87 | 47 | 158 | .359 | .586 | .945 |
| 2023 | Louisville Bats | 38 | 186 | 158 | .297 | 12 | 36 | 38 | 11 | 50 | .398 | .633 | 1.031 |
| 2026 | Louisville Bats | 3 | 9 | 8 | .250 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .333 | .625 | .958 |
| Career | Totals | 265 | 1159 | 1049 | .297 | 50 | 192 | 186 | 71 | 336 | .358 | .550 | .908 |
Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand