Cincinnati Reds' Jonathan India Praises Top Prospect Elly De La Cruz

As the Cincinnati Reds continue their youth movement this season, the most anticipated call-up of all has yet to happen: Elly De La Cruz. The walking highlight reel is close to a call up and even his future teammates are excited. Here's what Jonathan India had to say.

The Cincinnati Reds have called up several top prospects this season as they continue their youth movement, but the most anticipated call-up of all hasn't happened yet: Elly De La Cruz.

De La Cruz is the top prospect in the organization and the No. 4 prospect in all of baseball. The walking highlight reel has elite speed and elite power, and one of the top throwing arms around.

Even his future major league teammates are excited to see him join the club eventually. Jonathan India was on the Chris Rose podcast through Jomboy Media and discussed his skills HERE:

"It's going to be special. He is an unbelievable talent overall. He's got all the tools, he's got six tools honestly. When you get up to the big leagues, it's a different baseball game though..."

At Triple-A Louisville this year, he's hitting .297 with 12 home runs, 36 RBI and 11 stolen bases. He's just 21-years-old.

Here's more on De La Cruz from MLB.com prospect profile:

There are few prospects more dynamic than De La Cruz, both in terms of his five-tool potential and the joy and passion he brings to his game. The switch-hitter’s plus bat speed has been amplified as he’s added strength, and he has legitimate plus power, especially from the left side of the plate. He can still be over-aggressive at times, striking out in more than 30 percent of his plate appearances in 2022, but he showed improved patience while more than holding his own in the Dominican Winter League against much older competition.

Because of his size, he’s drawn some comparisons to the Pirates’ Oneil Cruz, and like Cruz, De La Cruz is eager to show he can stick at shortstop. He has the actions and plus arm to stay there for sure while also having no problems playing third and saw time at second with Licey this past winter. Just 21 for the 2023 season, he’s the kind of player who should have no ceiling placed on him, with the chance to be a true five-tool All-Star sooner rather than later.

The Reds are currently 26-33 and in fourth place in the National League Central. They are 6.0 games back of the first-place Brewers.

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