Cincinnati Reds Star Elly De La Cruz Makes Noticeable Change to Batting Stance

Elly De La Cruz was going through the worst slump of his Major League career until he slugged his 20th home run of the season over the weekend against the Chicago Cubs.

It gave him his second 20-home run, 20-stolen base season of his career. It was De La Cruz's first home run in 43 games.

On Tuesday, De La Cruz hit another home run in Cincinnati's 4-2 loss to the Pirates. This one felt more like the towering shots we've seen from him over his first couple of seasons in the league.

While looking at his last two home runs, I noticed something was different. He didn't toe tap on either home run, a noticeable change. When De La Cruz made his Major League debut back in 2023, he had a big leg kick. This season, at some point, he changed to a toe tap. However, in September he's went back to the leg kick, which makes his swing look a lot more fluid and smooth.

It certainly feels like the toe tap was something the Reds wanted him to try to see if it could help him cut down on strikeouts and make contact more often. However, the 23-year-old has ditched the toe tap and whether that's the reason he's found his power stroke again or not, the Reds will take it.

If De La Cruz can stay hot for the last five games of the season, the Reds have to like their chances at making the postseason.

You can see the difference in his swings below:

Something I noticed during Elly’s two home runs recently.

He seems to have gotten rid of the toe tap.

Both videos on the left are from early August. Both videos on the right are his videos two recent home runs.

Swing feels so much more fluid on the right. pic.twitter.com/d8lfmKS9CO
— Reds Daily (@RedsDaily4) September 24, 2025

Here is Elly’s first MLB home run. He did not toe tap when he first came up.

It’s something someone had him start doing at some point probably to try to limit strikeouts, etc.

He’s probably more comfortable here. pic.twitter.com/etbprZOaD1 https://t.co/dOjZZXbNnG
— Reds Daily (@RedsDaily4) September 24, 2025

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