Few players have made life in the major leagues look so easy so quickly like Elly De La Cruz has in 2023. Through his first 41 games, the 22-year-old phenom has stretched the physical limits of the game: He broke the record for the fastest infield assist ever recorded—then broke it again. He stole three bases over the course of a single inning as part of a bravura sequence that comprised about a minute of real time.
And for his latest feat of wonder? He hit a ball out of the entire stadium.
Facing the Brewers on Monday night, De La Cruz’s night got off to a tough start after he was robbed of a home run by Milwaukee center fielder Joey Wiemer. Always the showman, the Reds rookie made sure that in his next plate appearance, the ball would be nowhere near arm’s reach of any Brewers fielders. In fact, he cleared the American Family Field confines altogether.
