Welcome to The Show Elly De La Cruz!

[JCM11]

If I had to place a bet I'd say the 2024 opening day lineup has India at third, Elly at SS, and McLain at second. It's possible they get to that alignment this year now that India is taking grounders at third. Marte could force someone to the OF or go to the OF himself sometime in 2024.

[Ron Madden]

Charlie Goldsmith
@CharlieG__
·
12m

The Reds infield will have some moving pieces with who plays which position.

Today, it's Elly De La Cruz at shortstop, Jonathan India at second base and Matt McLain as the DH.

[mth123]

I used to think EDLC to CF was the best idea, but I've changed my mind. There really aren't SS coming up behind him to count on. Marte looks like he's a 3B in the future and while Edwin Arroyo is still a very good prospect, he still hasn't really hit since being acquired in trade. He's been hot lately, but his overall numbers have not been good. I'd leave EDLC at SS until somebody forces a move.

I also think that TJ Friedl is perfectly fine in CF. I wouldn't mess with it.

[TRF]

IMO, ideally he's a RF. Seeing how the Padres just moved their uber SS there to prevent injury reinforces the idea. Plus he's got a howitzer for an arm.

IF would be 1B - CES, 2B - India, SS - McClain, 3B - Steer

I'd be open to flipping India and Steer. I might be more open to Steer in LF and Marte at 3B as soon as next year.

What an incredibly fun problem to have. I cannot remember the last time the Reds had this much young talent kicking the doors down in the minors. The Reds have a CF at Daytona that is looking like a STUD. And he's 19.

[Phoenix2]

McLain way too good a defender to have at DH. Man, I love this problem.

[Dingers4Duvall]

IMO, ideally he's a RF. Seeing how the Padres just moved their uber SS there to prevent injury reinforces the idea. Plus he's got a howitzer for an arm.

IF would be 1B - CES, 2B - India, SS - McClain, 3B - Steer

I'd be open to flipping India and Steer. I might be more open to Steer in LF and Marte at 3B as soon as next year.

What an incredibly fun problem to have. I cannot remember the last time the Reds had this much young talent kicking the doors down in the minors. The Reds have a CF at Daytona that is looking like a STUD. And he's 19.

Thought Padres moved Tatis to RF because they signed Xander... Wouldnt injuries be more likely in the OF crashing into walls, breaking something diving for a ball, etc?

[Wonderful Monds]

IMO, ideally he's a RF. Seeing how the Padres just moved their uber SS there to prevent injury reinforces the idea. Plus he's got a howitzer for an arm.

IF would be 1B - CES, 2B - India, SS - McClain, 3B - Steer

I'd be open to flipping India and Steer. I might be more open to Steer in LF and Marte at 3B as soon as next year.

What an incredibly fun problem to have. I cannot remember the last time the Reds had this much young talent kicking the doors down in the minors. The Reds have a CF at Daytona that is looking like a STUD. And he's 19.

He should be a SS. RF is a waste of Elly’s freak athleticism.
The Padres had to move Tatis because he was an idiot who couldn’t/wouldn’t stop wrecking motorcycles and jacking himself up. There’s no reason to move a guy that far down the defensive spectrum when there’s no pressing need to do so.

Plus they have to get India off 2B because he’s awful there. He can be a corner OF guy or whatever.
But they have way more options if they have future holes to fill with Elly and McLain in the middle IF and the ability to go get your run of the mill outfielder bat, versus moving Elly to RF and having McLain at SS and having to settle for a run of the mill 2B bat.

[757690]

I want ELDC to be the Reds SS with McLain at 2B so that they can set the record for greatest height difference in a double play combination.

[Ron Madden]

A loud ovation for each plate appearance introduction, followed by hushed silence from the fans at rapt attention between every pitch. Yes, the Elly De La Cruz show for the Reds was already a sensation at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday.

And De La Cruz appeared ready to meet the moment.

During Cincinnati's 9-8 walk-off win over the Dodgers, De La Cruz reached base three times as he went 1-for-3 with two walks and scored a run. His first Major League hit was a third-inning double with one out against starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin.

"He knew he was a big focus today, but you would never know it being around him," Reds manager David Bell said. "He went out and played relaxed, he played with passion and intensity. He was himself."

A lack of plate discipline was a knock on De La Cruz in previous Minor League seasons, but it's an area where he's shown improvement for Triple-A Louisville this season.

“Incredible, both walks tonight were incredible," Reds second baseman Jonathan India said. "Not swinging at balls in the dirt and taking good pitches. That was really mature plate discipline by him. I’m excited to see him do that.”

https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/elly-d...twice-in-debut

[TRF]

Tatis to the OF was proposed way before Boagarts was signed.

Lot's more start/stop in the IF. Collisions at 2B, stepping on the bag for the DP.

Yes, you have two walls to worry about in RF, but it's a lot easier on the body. And he's got a large body. It's skinny now. It likely won't be 5 years down the road. If he packs on some cushion, his comp is Judge. And no way would the Yankees consider that even if he could play the position.

It's just my opinion. The Reds are going to figure out SS between McClain and EDLC more than likely and the loser of that supplants 2B or 3B.

Again, fun "problem" to have.

- - - Updated - - -

He should be a SS. RF is a waste of Elly’s freak athleticism.
The Padres had to move Tatis because he was an idiot who couldn’t/wouldn’t stop wrecking motorcycles and jacking himself up. There’s no reason to move a guy that far down the defensive spectrum when there’s no pressing need to do so.

Plus they have to get India off 2B because he’s awful there. He can be a corner OF guy or whatever.
But they have way more options if they have future holes to fill with Elly and McLain in the middle IF and the ability to go get your run of the mill outfielder bat, versus moving Elly to RF and having McLain at SS and having to settle for a run of the mill 2B bat.

Clemente was a RF. He didn't seem like a waste.

[Wonderful Monds]

Tatis to the OF was proposed way before Boagarts was signed.

Lot's more start/stop in the IF. Collisions at 2B, stepping on the bag for the DP.

Yes, you have two walls to worry about in RF, but it's a lot easier on the body. And he's got a large body. It's skinny now. It likely won't be 5 years down the road. If he packs on some cushion, his comp is Judge. And no way would the Yankees consider that even if he could play the position.

It's just my opinion. The Reds are going to figure out SS between McClain and EDLC more than likely and the loser of that supplants 2B or 3B.

Again, fun "problem" to have.

- - - Updated - - -



Clemente was a RF. He didn't seem like a waste.

Clemente would’ve been even more valuable if he could’ve played a good SS though

[Wonderful Monds]

I can see an argument for playing Elly in the OF, but it would have to be in center. A guy who’s that much of an otherworldly athlete has to play a premium position, straight up.

[RedTeamGo!]

I legitimately couldn’t care less what position Roberto Clemente played 100 years ago.

EDLC needs to stay at short until he proves he cannot play it and if that is the case he plays 3B.

[Ron Madden]

John Sadak
@johnsadak
·
2h

It’s BP. Granted.

…Elly just hit one off the right Power Stack.

Batting lefty.

Just above the Reds logo.

He and McLain are now signing for fans.

[LeatherPants]

First major league home run was a goddamn bomb. Almost made it to Kentucky. They should have called him up weeks ago.