Let’s talk about Elly De La Cruz, the Cincinnati Reds’ electrifying young star who’s making some key adjustments heading into the 2025 MLB season.
If you’ve watched De La Cruz play, you know he’s got all the tools—power, speed, athleticism—you name it.
But there’s been one glaring issue: the strikeouts. And not just a few here and there. We’re talking 218 of them last season, the most in Major League Baseball.
That’s a big number, and clearly, it’s something both De La Cruz and the Reds want to fix.
A New Stance for Better Contact
So what’s the plan? According to Charlie Goldsmith, De La Cruz has made a subtle yet significant tweak to his stance.
He’s standing taller, opening up his stance, and developing a smoother rhythm in his swing. The goal here is better control while staying aggressive.
Reds’ new hitting coach, Chris Valaika, explained it best. They’re focused on keeping that raw power intact while ensuring De La Cruz moves more efficiently through his swing. More control, better decision-making—that’s the formula.
An MLB Star on the Rise
Let’s not overlook how much of a force De La Cruz already was in 2024.
The guy slugged 25 homers, racked up 76 RBIs, and led MLB with 67 stolen bases. He made his first All-Star appearance and finished the season with an impressive 5.2 WAR.
But the Reds finished fourth in the NL Central, which means there’s work to be done. They need De La Cruz at his best to take that next step.
Big Changes for the Reds in 2025
And it’s not just him. The Reds made some big moves this offseason. They brought in veteran manager Terry Francona, who knows how to win.
They traded for Brady Singer from the Royals to bolster the rotation. Plus, they’re getting two key bats back—Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand—who were sidelined last season.
So, where does that leave us? If De La Cruz can cut down on the strikeouts while keeping that electric playmaking ability, the Reds could be a real problem in 2025.
The pieces are there. Now, it’s just a matter of putting it all together. Buckle up, Cincinnati—it’s going to be an interesting ride.
