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Elly De La Cruz Makes 4-Word Admission on MLB Home Run Derby

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris M. Licata | Last updated Mar 22, 2025 5:58 PM ET

Elly De La Cruz quickly became of one Major League Baseball's most electrifying stars upon his debut in 2023 and the buzz continues to grow heading into his third season with the Cincinnati Reds.

The 23-year-old followed up his 13-homer, 35-stolen base campaign in 2023 with his first All-Star appearance in 2024. De La Cruz also finished eighth in MVP voting after posting a .259/.339/.809 slashline with 25 home runs, 76 RBI, 67 stolen bases, 105 runs scored and 10 triples in 160 games.

Sure, he led MLB in stolen bases, times caught stealing and strikeouts in 2024, but the tools are put-butts-in-the-seats elite. Fans and the league have been clamoring to see his raw power on display in the Home Run Derby but De La Cruz turned down his second straight invite last season.

He told the Cincinnati Enquirer that, “At some point in my career, yeah. But not right now," adding that the competition includes “too many swings, and I want to rest on those days.”

The question of his 2025 participation came up in a recent interview with Bleacher Report's Scott Polacek. His response, though, was still not a definitive one.

"I don't know yet," De La Cruz admitted "while laughing," according to B/R.

While De La Cruz's 25 home runs would've been tied for the second-lowest season total of any of the 2024 derby participants, he ranked among the league's top 35 hitters in three key power metrics last year: Maximum exit velocity (114.7 mph), average exit velocity (91.8 mph) and average home run distance (408 feet).

The 2025 Home Run Derby will take place in July during MLB All-Star Weekend in Atlanta.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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