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February 28, 2023;  Phoenix, Arizona, USA;  Cincinnati Reds shortstop Eli De La Cruz takes on the Los Angeles Dodgers in a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale.  Mandatory credit: Mark J.  Rebilas-USA Today Sports
The Cincinnati Reds called up shortstop Eli De La Cruz. (Mark J. Rebillas-America Today Sports)

Shortstop Elly De La Cruz’s MLB debut is set. He has been called up by the Cincinnati Reds from Triple-A Louisville to play in the team’s series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team announced Tuesday.

De La Cruz is rated ESPN’s No. 1 baseball prospect and MLB’s No. 4 overall prospect, and his debut was highly anticipated. He will take Nick Senzel’s roster spot after being placed on the injured list with a knee injury on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old from the Dominican Republic is hitting .298 with 49 home runs in 262 games.

After missing some time on the injured list due to a strained left hamstring, De La Cruz’s season began on April 20. Since then, the switch-hitter, listed at 6-foot-5, has consistently produced viral highlights. He is hitting .297/.398/.633 with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs in 38 games this season.

He is currently recording an exit velocity of 118.8 mph for the most hit balls in professional baseball this season. In the same game, he hit three balls at 116 mph.

De la Cruz’s bat isn’t his only concern. He’s also fast, clocking a 10.97-second sprint from home plate to third base on Friday. That time tied him for the third-fastest home run hit this year, according to MLB.com.

He also has a funny arm. Earlier last month, he posted a 99.2 mph throw from third to first. has been Fastest thrower in all of professional baseball At this time. Given all that, it’s no surprise that de la Cruz has all kinds of fans — including Grammy-nominated rapper Jack Harlow, a Kentucky native.

Because of De La Cruz’s unique size and talent, there were some questions about where he would fit in for Cincinnati. Reds general manager Nick Krall is currently expected to play shortstop and third base SiriusXM MLB Radio.

The Reds (27-33) appear poised to benefit from the addition of De La Cruz, as they sit in third place in the NL Central. More than many expected this season, the team is only 5 1/2 ahead of the first-place Pittsburgh Pirates.



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