The energy in Great American Ball Park shifts the second Elly De La Cruz steps into the on-deck circle. It’s a literal buzz. People lean over the railings, phones up, breathless. But if you’re trying to snag an Elly De La Cruz autograph, that buzz usually turns into a frantic scramble. I’ve seen grown men nearly topple over kids just to get a Sharpie near a 2024 Topps Chrome card. It’s chaos.
Honestly, getting his signature isn't just about luck anymore. It’s a high-stakes game. As we head deeper into 2026, the market for "La Cocoa" has moved past the "hype" phase and into the "blue chip" category. If you aren't careful, you’ll end up with a fake or a massive hole in your wallet for a card that was overvalued during a hot streak.
The Reality of the In-Person Chase
Let’s be real: your chances of getting Elly to sign at the dugout are slim. Not zero, but slim. He’s a superstar now. The days of him lingering for twenty minutes to sign every program are mostly gone.
If you're going to try, you’ve gotta be at the stadium the moment the gates open. Most people head for the 1st base line near the Reds dugout. Pro tip? Try the 3rd base side during warmups if the Reds are the visiting team. He sometimes feels a bit more relaxed away from the home-crowd madness. But even then, he’s got a schedule. A few signatures for the kids, a quick wave, and he’s gone.
Where he actually signs
If you missed him at the dugout, don't give up. The Redsfest 2026 event (happening January 16-17 at the Duke Energy Convention Center) is basically the Holy Grail. He was a late addition to the lineup this year, but he’s confirmed.
- Season Ticket Holder Events: Often the best "secret" window.
- Memorabilia Shows: Keep an eye on GTSM or Fanatics events.
- The Parking Garage: Some die-hards wait by the player exit under right field. It’s a long shot, and honestly, a bit invasive, but that’s where the "pros" hang out.
Why the Market is So Volatile
Investing in an Elly De La Cruz autograph feels a bit like day-trading. One week he hits a 450-foot bomb and steals three bases, and his PSA 10 rookie autos jump $100. The next week he’s in a strikeout slump, and the "investors" start panic-selling.
You’ve probably seen the headlines about the 1/1 Superfractor selling for over $116,000 back in late 2024. That’s outlier territory. For the rest of us, the 2024 Topps Baseball Stars Autographs or the Bowman Chrome Rookie Autos are the standard. Right now, a solid PSA 9/10 authenticated 2024 Topps auto is hovering between $250 and $450 depending on the parallel.
It’s expensive. No way around it.
The Topps Factor
Topps has a massive grip on Elly’s signed content. Because of his exclusive-ish nature with major brands, you won't see him doing many "private signings" for local card shops. This keeps the supply controlled, which keeps the prices high. If you see a "deal" on a signed jersey that looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Spotting the Fakes (Don't Get Burned)
The more a player is worth, the more the scammers come out of the woodwork. Elly’s signature is actually kind of tough to forge perfectly because it’s fluid. It’s not just "EDLC." He has a specific way of looping the "E" and trailing off the "z."
Expert Note: Never buy an unauthenticated Elly autograph. Period.
If the item doesn't have a COA from PSA/DNA, JSA, or Beckett (BGS), walk away. I don't care how good the story is. "My uncle met him at a gas station" is the oldest lie in the hobby. In fact, if you’re buying on eBay, look for the "Authenticity Guarantee" blue checkmark. It means the item goes to a third-party professional before it ever touches your doorstep.
Authentication Tiers
- PSA/DNA: The gold standard for most collectors.
- JSA (James Spence): Incredible for "in-person" signatures that weren't originally on cards.
- Beckett: Usually preferred for modern "thick" cards or high-end patches.
What's Actually Worth Buying?
If you’re looking for long-term value, stop buying the base stuff. Everyone has a base auto. Look for on-card signatures.
"Sticker autos"—where the player signs a sheet of plastic and a machine sticks it on the card—are generally less desirable. They feel detached. An "on-card" auto means Elly actually held that specific piece of cardboard. Collectors pay a premium for that connection.
Also, look for the "Rookie Card" (RC) logo. In 2026, his sophomore and junior cards are cool, but the 2024 stuff will always be the king of his portfolio.
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Sales Data (Approximate Market Rates)
- 2024 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto: $300 - $400 (Raw/Ungraded)
- 2024 Topps Series 1 Baseball Stars Auto: $180 - $260
- Signed Official MLB Baseball (PSA Certified): $200 - $350
- Authenticated Jersey: $500+
The "Cocoa" Future
Is he the next Shohei Ohtani? Maybe not in terms of pitching, obviously, but in terms of hobby impact, he’s the only one close. His sales volume is consistently top-three in the sport.
If you're buying for your personal collection, buy what you love. If you’re buying to make money, you’re betting on his health. A guy who runs that fast and swings that hard is always one hamstring pull away from a price dip. That’s the risk. But man, when he’s on, there is nobody more fun to collect.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re ready to add an Elly De La Cruz autograph to your shelf, don't just rush to the first eBay listing you see. Start by checking the "Sold" listings to see what people are actually paying, not just what sellers are asking. Use a tool like 130Point to find the final price of "Best Offer" sales, which are usually lower than the list price.
If you’re in the Cincinnati area, get your tickets for Redsfest immediately. It is the only place where you have a guaranteed, albeit crowded, shot at seeing him sign in a controlled environment. For everyone else, stick to the major auction houses or eBay sellers with 100% feedback and professional authentication.
Skip the "too good to be true" deals. In this hobby, you get exactly what you pay for.