Reds' Elly De La Cruz is mastering his five-tool skillset, and that's exciting

De La Cruz owns an .836 OPS with 18 home runs, 60 RBI and 22 stolen bases while appearing in all 90 Reds games this season. He leads all qualified shortstops in homers, runs (68), RBI and slugging percentage, with eyes of a potential 40-40 season still in sight. 

"I asked Elly, I said, what's important to you," Cincinnati manager Terry Francona told MLB Network Radio in December. "He said he wants to be one of the best players in the game. I said, I want that to happen and I want it to be on one of the best teams in the game."

Now a two-time All-Star at just 23, De La Cruz is the first Reds player to make multiple All-Star games before his 24th birthday since Johnny Bench and only the fourth Red ever to do so. Vada Pinson and Frank Robinson were the others. 

Although De La Cruz's blazing speed has been his most awe-inspiring trait, the All-Star has begun to master his five-tool skill set, which is an exciting development for baseball fans.

Through his first 81 games, the halfway mark for the 2025 season, the Reds star was on pace for 36 home runs, 30 doubles, 42 stolen bases, 110 RBI and 128 runs. 

Should he reach those totals, De La Cruz would be the seventh player in MLB history to compile 30+ home runs, 30+ doubles, 40+ stolen bases, 100+ RBI and 120+ runs in a single season. 

Perennial All-Stars Jose Canseco (1988), Alex Rodriguez (1998), Alfonso Soriano (2002), Carlos Beltran (2004), Ronald Acuna Jr. (2023) and Shohei Ohtani (2024) previously did so. Interestingly, all but two of these players also earned MVP honors in their respective careers — an achievement that could be in store for the budding Reds star. 

Earlier this season, De La Cruz became the fastest player in Major League Baseball history to record 300 hits, 150 RBI and 100 stolen bases.

Boasting a rare blend of power and speed, the 6-foot-5 shortstop is one of the most dynamic threats at the plate and put the league on notice with his second consecutive All-Star campaign.

"It's special on a nightly basis," Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson said. "If he doesn't hit one 150 (mph) off the bat and 8,000 feet, he'll steal four bags and throw 107 across the infield. It's like a create-a-player every night."

De La Cruz is still scratching the surface of his limitless potential, which should concern opposing teams and excite baseball fans. His combination of speed, power, arm strength and fearlessness makes him must-see television and could soon propel him into the MVP conversation.