It seems just about every time Elly De La Cruz steps out onto the field, he makes some magic happen for the Reds. The rookie did just that on Saturday, when he completed a trip around the base paths on just two pitches.
After an RBI single in the seventh inning, De La Cruz stole second on the next pitch. On the pitch after that, the 21-year-old successfully broke for third and even managed to swipe home plate after catching the Brewers infield off guard.
De La Cruz picked up his 14th, 15th, and 16th stolen bases of the season during the two-pitch span in the seventh inning, including the rare steal of home plate.
His baserunning exploits drew quite a strong reaction from MLB fans and media members on Twitter, who were in absolute awe over his awareness, confidence, and of course, his jaw-dropping speed.
Elly De La Cruz is so damn electric pic.twitter.com/cqqR3hYAYA
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) July 8, 2023
Did Elly De La Cruz really just hit a single, steal second, steal third, and then steal home? This is officially ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/AM1dTc3hB5
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) July 8, 2023
ELLY DE LA CRUZ STOLE EVERY SINGLE BASE IN LIKE 13.9 SECONDS pic.twitter.com/zHTZgmefqN
— Fuzzy (@fuzzyfromyt) July 8, 2023
Send Elly De La Cruz to the All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/wOqGUwDuvs
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) July 8, 2023
Elly De La Cruz is just playing with his food at this point 😭 man steals home with EASE 🔥
— Evan (@OhChev) July 8, 2023
pic.twitter.com/Suqaslbgx0
THIS ELLY DE LA CRUZ KID IS INSANE pic.twitter.com/8RCuJ8Xk5J
— Jordan Cicchelli 💛 (@jordancicchelli) July 8, 2023
It is Elly De La Cruz’s video game and we are all just watching him play. pic.twitter.com/TqyjTgnEkh
— Tyler Greever (@Tyler_Greever) July 8, 2023
Elly just stole 2nd. Then 3rd. Then with the catcher and pitcher napping after the steal of 3rd-took off and stole home!! The dude is UNREAL. Hard fought battle between top 2 teams in the NL central-and he does THAT with 2 outs. Reds up 7-5 bottom of 7th. @Reds
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) July 8, 2023
Elly De La Cruz, the fastest man in the world.🏃💨 pic.twitter.com/vPh4Dp4xKP
— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 8, 2023
And people say my man Elly De La Cruz shouldn’t be an all star. Guy is electric as they come. What he did today was amazing. @CincinnatiReds
— Todd Frazier (@FlavaFraz21) July 8, 2023
Elly De La Cruz is the first Reds player to steal three bases in an inning in at least the last 60 years.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 8, 2023
At 21 years old, he's the youngest player on any team to do it over that span as well. https://t.co/wAZUNVb2JJ