Is this the season Bryan De La Cruz finally breaks out?

Batting .366 with three home runs and nine RBI, De La Cruz also managed a 14-game hit streak that came to an end on May 21. That tied him with three other hitters for the fourth-longest hit streak of the 2023 season, With Houston Astros utilityman Mauricio Dubon having a 20-game hit streak.

With injuries to Marlins star centerfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and 2021 free agent signing outfielder Avisal Garcia, who is in the second year of a 4-year, 53M deal De La Cruz's emergence in May has been a welcomed addition. 

After a promising 58-game sample in the majors in 2021, De La Cruz followed that up with a mediocre 2022 campaign.

Ranked in the top three in multiple-team batting statistics including batting average, RBI and doubles De La Cruz is looking to continue this hot hitting for the rest of 2023 and to build into a key contributor for the Marlins lineup for years to come.

In an interview with Miami Herald reporter Jordan McPherson, De La Cruz had this to say about his hot streak "It's about consistency, being in the play with tranquility and serenity. Looking at the pitchers, looking at the pitches and doing the same thing -- not trying to change things."

With Marlins manager Skip Schumaker adding "I don't think he's done growing as a hitter. It could be even better than what you're seeing so far. I don't want to put numbers on what a guy's capable of doing because it's ultimately up to the player."

With a little over 27 percent of the Marlins team payroll invested in outfielders Jorge Soler and Garcia, the Marlins might be hesitant to have long-term contract discussions with De La Cruz. 

But with continued strong play in 2023, De La Cruz might be able to force them into locking him up for the foreseeable future.