Reds' phenom rookie Elly De La Cruz already wowing scouts
The call-up of big-time Reds shortstop prospect Elly De La Cruz — MLB’s No. 1 prospect — caused near pandemonium in Cincinnati, and rightly so. De La Cruz, according to one scout, has an almost impossible three of five tool grades of “80” on the 20-80 scale, and is an even more talented than Fernando Tatis Jr.
Reds general manager Nick Krall agreed by phone that the switch-hitting De La Cruz, who hit a 458-foot home run and was timed in an MLB-best 10.93 seconds legging out a triple Wednesday in his second big league game, “has got some loud tools.” But Krall sought to put the brakes on the hyperbole. “I think he’s a really good player who has a chance to be a game-changer. But to compare him to others, he’s going to have to go out there and do what he can do.”
The other plus is “the makeup is off the charts,” said former scouting director Tony Arias, who along with former international scouting director Richard Jimenez, signed De La Cruz for $65,000 off a quick workout in the Dominican Republic in 2018 (Arias is now retired and in real estate in Miami and Jimenez scouts for the Dodgers). Said Arias: “The kid loves to play.”
Elly De La Cruz celebrates after hitting his first MLB home run on June 7. USA TODAY Sports
Elly De La Cruz is already wowing scouts. AP
Of course, no one could have guessed De La Cruz, 21, would grow to have three top-ranked tools (arm, speed and power). So when Jimenez called Arias, he recommended what he saw: worth a flyer on a raw, uber-skinny kid who had a trainer for an agent and a deep desire to sign immediately.
“What really caught my eye was how he handled the bat,” Jimenez said. He signed him on the spot, with Arias’ OK.
“Richard did a great job. The kid has a great body and is athletic,” Arias recalled. “He had bat speed, but didn’t have any strength.”
That “flyer” is drawing only raves now and is projected to be a “top five” player in the bigs, according to yet another scout. The only real issue is the Reds, believe it or not, may have too many good infielders and may need to guard against playing kids out of position.
De La Cruz is starting off at third, as a fellow top rookie Matt McLain (another “future star,” says a rival exec) is manning shortstop. Jose Barrero (previously Jose Garcia) who came up as a shortstop phenom in 2020 is falling on the charts and playing some center field. Former No. 2-overall pick Nick Senzel, who was drafted as an infielder, has played a lot of outfield, but was manning third when his injury gave the Reds the opening to summon De La Cruz.
De La Cruz’s speed could mean he ultimately will fit best in center. For now, the big debate in Cincinnati is whether former Rookie of the Year Jonathan India, who’s playing second, needs to go to alleviate the logjam. But, Krall said: “India is a leader in our clubhouse. I have limited interest in trading him. I’d rather have too many good players than not enough.”
Source: New York Post
