Reds' prospect is scorching the ball at historic levels

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reds' top prospect is scorching the baseball at historic levels

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/10/23

Cincinnati Reds top prospect Elly De La Cruz impressed at the plate Tuesday night for the Triple-A Louisville Bats, tallying three his clocked at a remarkable 116 mph or more.

According to Jason Catania of MLB.com, no player or team, even at the Major League level, has accomplished De La Cruz's feat since Statcast began tracking exit velocity in 2015.

The switch-hitting De La Cruz finished the night 3-of-4 with two walks, making his trio of hits count.

De La Cruz destroyed two home runs from both sides of the plate, traveling at 116.6 mph (456 feet) and 117.1 mph (428 feet).

The Elly De La Cruz Show continues.

The top @Reds prospect crushes a 456 ft homer to center -- his 3rd straight game with a jack for the @LouisvilleBats: pic.twitter.com/LnQmCCH2TV
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 9, 2023

Out of De La Cruz's three hits, only one failed to leave the yard, but the double he smashed clocked at 118.8 mph, the fastest-hit ball in both the minor leagues and MLB this season.

The 20-year-old can add those impressive marks to his others. De La Cruz now has the hardest-hit ball (118.8 mph), the fastest infield throw (99 mph), and the third-fastest home-to-third speed (11.19 seconds) in all of baseball.

Elly De La Cruz, per Baseball America, has the hardest-hit ball (118.8 mph), fastest infield throw (99 mph) and third-fastest home-to-third speed (11.19 seconds) recorded by Statcast this year in the majors or Triple-A. https://t.co/B19mJLXhUB
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) May 10, 2023

Signed as an international free agent by the Reds in 2018, De La Cruz made his pro debut for Cincinnati in the Dominican Winter League the following year.

A switch-hitting terror with a rocket arm in the infield, De La Cruz has emerged as not only one of the Reds' best farmhands but one the most exciting young prospects in all of baseball.

De La Cruz could be taking a Major League field sooner rather than later, but for now, he'll have to settle for raking at the Triple-A level.

After a brutal 1-for-21 start to his stint with the Bats, De La Cruz has been on fire since, recording 11 extra-base hits while batting .357/.400/.768.

Through 16 games with Louisville, the 20-year-old has five home runs and 13 RBI, slashing .284/.321/.608.

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