Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) steals second as Colorado Rockies shortstop Orlando Arcia (11) loses the throw from home in the first inning between Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Reds Superstar Joins Elite Company With Historic First Half

Originally posted on Cincinnati Reds on SI
By Greg Kuffner | Last updated Jul 14, 2025 12:00 PM ET

Cincinnati Reds superstar Elly De La Cruz continues to put his name in the record books. De La Cruz scored 72 runs in the first half of the season, which is the fifth most in Reds history since at least 1901, according to Matt Wilkes of Reds Content Plus.

The 23-year-old's 72 runs trail just Joe Morgan's 1977 and 1972 season, Pete Rose's 1976 season, and Eric Davis's season.

The shortstop has played in all 97 games for the Reds this season, slashing .284/.359/.495 with 39 extra-base hits and 25 stolen bases. He has a WAR of 3.6, which, to put in perspective, he had a WAR of 5.2 all of last season.

De La Cruz continues to not only meet but also exceed expectations.

The Reds are 50-47 at the All-Star break and sit just 2 1/2 games out of a National League Wild Card spot.

You can see the full list below:

Most runs scored by a Reds player in the first half of a season (since at least 1901):

1. Joe Morgan, 81 (1972)
T2. Eric Davis, 75 (1987)
T2. Pete Rose, 75 (1976)
4. Joe Morgan, 74 (1977)
5. Elly De La Cruz, 72 (2025) pic.twitter.com/p1Csxj8kIF
— Matt Wilkes (@_MattWilkes) July 13, 2025