Shortstop/third baseman Elly De La Cruz has been a bright light for the Cincinnati Reds. Since joining the team in 2023, he received votes for the National League Rookie of the Year Award and earned his first All-Star selection. This time, the Dominican infielder etched his name in Major League Baseball’s history books.
In their March 31 game against the Texas Rangers, De La Cruz had four hits in five at-bats, two home runs, seven RBIs, and a stolen base. That stat line made him the first MLB player to have three career games with at least three extra-base hits and a base steal. While it’s a small number, that’s the most by any MLB player before turning 24 since 1900.
De La Cruz, 23, surpassed Hall of Famers Orlando Cepeda and Joe Morgan in career games with three or more extra-base hits plus one stolen base. Through five games, he has 14 total bases in seven hits through 20 at-bats.
The third-year MLB player is slashing .350/.381/.700/1.081 in 21 plate appearances. However, despite his hot streak, the Reds are 2-3 through their first five games.
-Lance Fernandez