Baseball is a game of numbers, but Elly De La Cruz is a vibe. If you caught the series where the Cincinnati Reds took on the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park in August 2024, you saw exactly why this kid is the most electric human being on a diamond right now. It wasn't just that the Reds won. It was the way Elly basically treated the Marlins' defense like a minor league scrimmage.
Honestly, the Marlins probably see Elly De La Cruz in their nightmares.
The Night Everything Changed in Miami
Let's talk about August 5, 2024. Before that game, Elly was actually struggling. He’d gone 0-for-13. People were starting to whisper about a slump. Then, he stepped into the box in Miami and decided to rewrite the record books.
He went 4-for-5. But calling it a "four-hit night" is a massive understatement. Every single hit was for extra bases. Two doubles and two home runs.
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When he crushed that second homer in the eighth inning off Shaun Anderson—a 428-foot rocket—he didn't just help the Reds win 10-3. He officially joined the 20/50 club. That's 20 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. At 22 years old, he became the youngest player in the history of the Cincinnati Reds to have four extra-base hits in one game.
Think about the names on that list. Joe Morgan. Eric Davis. Barry Larkin. Elly is breathing that kind of air now.
Why the Marlins Struggle with Elly
The problem the Marlins have—and really, what every team has—is that you can't prepare for his speed. In the second inning of that same game, Elly hit a tiny grounder. It traveled maybe four feet. Most players are out at first by a mile.
Instead? Chaos.
He forced two errors just by existing. He jetted around the bases and ended up on third. It’s a psychological thing. When Elly De La Cruz is on the move, infielders start rushing. They know they have about 0.5 seconds to make a perfect throw or he’s safe.
He’s currently batting .382 career against Miami. That’s not a typo. Across 17 games, he’s racked up 26 hits and 4 homers against them. Basically, the Marlins are his "get right" team.
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The Human Side of the Highlight Reel
There was this cool moment in Miami that didn't show up in the box score but went viral on social media. Apparently, a young fan in the stands was yelling at Elly to hit a home run before his at-bats.
Elly did it. Twice.
After the game, he actually tracked the kid down and gave him a signed bat. It’s that kind of stuff that makes him more than just a Statcast freak. He’s 6'5", he runs faster than anyone in the league, and he still has the awareness to make a kid's year.
Breaking Down the 2024 Series Impact
The Reds dominated that four-game set, taking three out of four. It wasn't just Elly, though he was the engine. Nick Martinez pitched five scoreless innings on his birthday to set the tone. But the headline was always #44.
On August 6, the very next night, he did it again. Another 4-for-5 performance. He stole his 58th base of the season. At one point, he took third base without a throw because the Marlins' pitcher, Max Meyer, was just... stuck in his stretch. You cannot blink when this guy is on base.
Wait, what about the defense?
People forget Elly's glove because his bat is so loud. In that same series, he made a diving stop on a rocket and turned a double play that saved the game from spiraling. Manager David Bell mentioned afterward that Elly’s maturity is catching up to his raw talent. He’s stopped trying to do "too much" on every play and is starting to just... play.
What This Means for 2026 and Beyond
Look, the Reds are in a weird spot. They have the talent, but they need consistency. Elly is the focal point. When he’s clicking—like he was against the Marlins—the Reds look like World Series contenders. When he’s striking out four times a game, they look lost.
But the data doesn't lie. His exit velocity is regularly in the 98th percentile. His sprint speed is literally tied for the fastest in MLB at 30.4 feet per second.
If you're a betting person or just a fan trying to track his progress, keep an eye on his strikeout rate. In that Miami series, he showed he could drive the ball the opposite way with two strikes. That’s the "final boss" version of Elly De La Cruz. If he masters the strike zone, the rest of the league is in trouble.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the Reds-Marlins rivalry or just tracking Elly's career, here is what you need to do to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Pitch Count: Elly tends to feast on fastballs early in the count against Miami. If you see him taking a more disciplined approach and drawing walks, it means a massive power surge is coming.
- Track the 30/80 Watch: He’s already hit 20/60 territory. The next big milestone is the 30-home run, 80-steal season, which is almost unheard of in the modern era.
- Monitor Infield Shifts: Teams are starting to play Elly deeper because of his arm strength (he’s hit 97.9 mph on infield assists). Watch how he uses his bunt game to exploit teams that give him too much respect.
- Follow Statcast Directly: Don't just look at the batting average. Look at his "Barrels" and "Hard Hit %." Against Miami, these numbers usually skyrocket, indicating he’s seeing the ball better than against almost any other NL opponent.