Reds call up MLB's No. 4 prospect Elly De La Cruz
The Cincinnati Reds called up top prospect Elly De La Cruz to the major-league roster, the team announced Tuesday.
In his debut, De La Cruz is playing third base and batting cleanup against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park.
🚨 ANNOUNCING ELLY DE LA CRUZ 🚨
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 6, 2023
Welcome to The Show, @ellylacocoa18‼️ pic.twitter.com/LcXKZcOLtk
A shortstop/third baseman, De La Cruz has played the entire 2023 season so far in Triple-A Louisville, hitting .297/.398/.633 with 12 homers and 11 stolen bases over 38 contests. Last year, between High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga, De La Cruz hit .304/.359/.586 with 28 homers and 47 steals in 121 games.
The 21-year-old is considered the No. 4 prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.
Utility man Nick Senzel was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right knee injury in a corresponding move.
The Reds currently have fellow rookie Matt McLain stationed at shortstop. Cincinnati selected him in in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft and called him up earlier this season. McLain, who can also play second base, is hitting .329/.389/.500 with two homers and one stolen base over 19 games since breaking into the majors while also accruing 1 DRS.