Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) reacts with first baseman Jeimer Candelario (3) after hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Great American Ball Park. Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Elly De La Cruz shines as Reds' bats finally wake up

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Mar 31, 2025 10:55 PM ET

After scoring only a combined six runs in the last two games, the Cincinnati Reds exploded for 14 runs on Monday. But while scoring 14 runs usually takes a team effort, one player was responsible for literally half of the team's production.

Shortstop Elly De La Cruz smacked a pair of home runs, recorded seven RBI, scored four runs himself and was a triple shy of the cycle. Prior to his monster performance to open up the second series of the season, De La Cruz resisted only three hits and one RBI as Cincinnati lost the series to the Giants.

Triple shy of the cycle? Nah, Elly wants to demolish a baseball instead. pic.twitter.com/eT1dIiAaat
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 1, 2025

Even though it's unlikely he stays as hot, there's reason to believe De La Cruz, now in his third MLB season, could continue bringing his power to the ballpark.

After De La Cruz hit 13 homers in 98 games as a rookie in 2023, he upped his total to 25 as he fell just two games shy of playing in every game last year. He was also hot all spring, sending four balls over the fence in 18 exhibition games.

The most electric player in baseball, Elly De La Cruz:

⚡️ 4-for-5
⚡️ 2 HR
⚡️ 7 RBI
⚡️ 4 R pic.twitter.com/DrwVeVGszR
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 1, 2025

With the infielders carrying the load , second baseman Matt McLain opened the week going 2-for-3 with a home run of his own, four runs and three RBI.

Elly & Matt combined:

6-for-8
3 HR
10 RBI
8 R
16 TB pic.twitter.com/zyooG5mffk
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 1, 2025

Thanks to De La Cruz's efforts, the Reds are 2-2 on the year with two more with Texas at Great American Ball Park before getting on the road for the first time. Cincinnati's first road trip will see the Reds visit NL Central Division rival Milwaukee for a four-game series that starts on Thursday.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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