Whoa, Elly: No. 1 prospect De La Cruz homers, triples in breakout game

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Finally, Elly De La Cruz was off and running. And it was impressive.

De La Cruz, the top prospect in the Reds' organization per MLB Pipeline, connected for his first two hits of the Cactus League season -- a triple and a home run. The feats by the shortstop, who was 2-for-2 with a walk, were among the most notable highlights in a 12-6 split-squad loss to the Royals on Saturday at Goodyear Ballpark.

"A triple and a home run are both really fun for me," De La Cruz said via translator Jorge Merlos.

In the bottom of the third inning with one out against former Reds lefty closer Aroldis Chapman, De La Cruz batted right-handed and hit a 100 mph fastball toward the foul line in deep right field. He picked up speed after rounding first base and made a headfirst slide into third base that was well ahead of the throw.

"I knew it was going to be a triple all the way," De La Cruz said. "Everything I hit out on a line or into the gap, I think it’s going to be a triple. Until they can get me out."

"He does a lot of things on the field, but maybe the baserunning is the most enjoyable to watch," Reds manager David Bell said. "Just seeing him float around the bases."

Leading off the bottom of the fifth inning against righty Max Castillo and batting left-handed, De La Cruz punished a 3-0 pitch for a long homer that clanked off the canopy above the party area beyond the right-field wall.

Aware quickly that the ball was going to clear the fence, De La Cruz went into an easy home run trot out of the batter's box.

"A lot of times, I think just seeing the pitches and getting on base gets you into the flow of the game and the rest of the game," Bell said. "He was definitely very confident in the box and the 3-0 swing was very aggressive and it was just good to see him connect and have a good day."

The 21-year-old De La Cruz, who is ranked as the No. 10 overall prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, came into the day 0-for-9 with two strikeouts over his first four spring games.

"It's good for him to get hits, as a hitter you always want to get the results," Bell said. "It definitely helped with confidence, but he's taking good swings, he's handling himself great at camp. He's doing everything you'd want him to do. But for today, no matter what, it's always nice to get on base, get in on the action and hit the ball really hard from both sides of the plate. That can go a long way."

Considered a long shot to make the Opening Day roster coming into his first big league camp, De La Cruz batted .304 with a .945 OPS, 28 home runs and 47 stolen bases in 120 games combined last season between High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga.

Back in 2010, the Reds' first year training in Arizona, Chapman was the fresh new player who monopolized buzz in camp with his easy triple-digit velocity. He had signed during that offseason after he successfully defected from Cuba.

"I’ve never talked to him before. Today was the first time I saw him face to face," De La Cruz said.

The 6-foot-5 De La Cruz, who is from the Dominican Republic, did not immediately get much attention when he signed as a 16-year-old for the relatively low amount of $65,000. His career didn't start accelerating until he first arrived in the United States to play in 2021.

Now De La Cruz could be in the Major Leagues as soon as this season.

"I’m just enjoying every single moment," he said. "Living life as great as I can and being the best I can."