Reds' Elly De La Cruz makes baseball history not done in last 126 years
Reds' Elly De La Cruz makes baseball history not done in last 126 years originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Last season may not have been Elly De La Cruz 's best.
So far this season, the Cincinnati Reds superstar is showing just how special he is.
De La Cruz has officially made baseball history not done since at least 1900 -- he has begun the season with 10 home runs and eight stolen bases before the calendar reached May.
The Reds shared that stat , saying it hasn't happened since 1900, although that is likely just the time they have the data available. Given the lack of homers back then, this probably didn't happen before then, either. It's probably the first time it has happened in baseball history.
The only thing that needs acknowledging is that the season starts much earlier these days than it used to, so it gives someone like De La Cruz more of a chance.
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Still, it's been an impressive first month or so of the season for Elly.
He's batting .291 and putting up a .952 OPS, both well above his career averages. Still just 24 years old, De La Cruz seems to be improving his game night in and night out.
One thing the Reds needed more of this season was power in their lineup, and yes, they've gotten a lot from Sal Stewart . But in reality, they always were going to need De La Cruz to grow his own potency at the plate.
Right now, there are few hitters in baseball more intimidating in the box, or on the bases, than Elly De La Cruz.
