While the Cincinnati Reds are rising to an unlikely Wildcard berth, their dual all-star Elly de la Cruz has become a staggering cold spell.
His seasonal numbers still shines on paper (he has a .266 average with 19 gays and 34 steals – playing on Friday). However, the production of the Superstar Shortstop has been clovered in recent weeks. During his last 36 games, De la Cruz has only managed one .214 on average, five steals and, most alarming, zero home runs. His last long ball came back on July 31 against Carlos Carrasco and the Braves.
What is one of the brightest young talents of baseball, which on average 0.17 gayers per match on average during his first 110 games in 2025, so suddenly went freezing cold? A further look reveals three clear trends.
1. Fewer Fastballs, more breaking items
In June De la Cruz saw a fixed diet of stoves. However, since 1 July, only 46.9% of the pitches with which he is confronted are fastballs. This is the second lowest rate Seen among 85 players with 750 or more throws.
This shift is important. Twelve of his 19 Homers came from Fastballs this year, together with his best stroke average against any pitch type. On the other hand, he has only beaten five homers from breaking balls and two against off-speed pitches. Last season, 19 of his 25 home runs also came from Fastballs.
Opponents have identified the weakness and adjusted accordingly.
2. Put Discipline collapse
The approach on the plate is also unraveled. Due to his first 110 games, De la Cruz placed a solid 2.32 Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio (116 K, 50 BB). During his last 36 games, that number has exploded to 6.86 (48 K, 7 BB).
The result? Are slant has fallen:
- First 110 games: .285 / .363 / .489
- Last 36 games: .214 / .257 / .305
De la Cruz has always been striped, but this piece combines a steady diet of breaking fields with deteriorating discipline. This has turned out to be a brutal mix for the 23-year-old Slagman.
3. Persistent quad injury
Finally, Suggest reports De la Cruz is fighting a quad problem that has clearly suppressed his explosiveness. After he led the competition with 67 Steals in 2024, he only has 34 in 2025 with 15 more games to go.
The quad is not just about speed. The muscle is also crucial for generating torque and transferring strength on the plate. Former Sluggers Such as Adam Laroche Also saw power loss reduced to similar injuries.
For Cincinnati To erase his 1.5-game wildcard deficiency, De la Cruz must find a way to break from this slump. When the Reds reach October, their hope hopes to let sound rest on the shoulders of their exciting, suddenly struggling, short stop.
#Elly #Cruzs #sudden #malaise #threatens #play #push #Reds