Reds' Elly De La Cruz accomplishes feat not seen in more than a century

This comes one season after he became the first player with 80 extra-base hits, 80 stolen bases and 80 walks in his first 200 games.

De La Cruz leads the team in home runs (six) and RBI (29) and is the only Reds player to appear in every game this season. His best game of the 2025 campaign thus far came against the Texas Rangers on March 31 when he recorded two home runs and seven RBI.

Despite his hot start to the season, De La Cruz has cooled off recently, particularly since May began. In 11 games, he's batting .140 with one homer, five RBI and 17 strikeouts, more than twice as many as his entire month of April (33).

For most, that would perhaps raise some concerns. Collectively, though, De La Cruz is off to a flying start and on pace to set multiple career-highs.

His personal bests in home runs (25), RBI (76), stolen bases (67), and batting average (.259) all came in 2024. Barely a fourth of the way through the 2025 season, his six homers, 29 RBI and .244 batting average are on pace to match or surpass his career-highs.

The Reds (20-22) have struggled recently, losing nine of their last 13 games and three of their previous four. If Cincinnati is going to turn things around, De La Cruz must be more consistent offensively. 

His most recent achievement shows his worth to the team and why a turnaround could be in store as the Reds try to stay in the NL Central race. They currently trail the Chicago Cubs by four games.

Following a seven-game road trip, Cincinnati returns home for a six-game slate, beginning Tuesday night against the Chicago White Sox (12-29). Having lost five of their last seven and in last place in the AL Central, the White Sox present a favorable matchup for the Reds, who could use a boost after their disappointing road trip.