GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Elly De La Cruz is drawing walks. He’s hitting balls to the alternative area, each left-handed and right-handed. By the appears to be like of it, the Reds shortstop’s offseason hitting changes have introduced constructive outcomes.
De La Cruz is batting .282 with an .878 OPS in 15 video games. Of his 11 hits, the 22-year-old logged three doubles, one triple and one dwelling run. He is additionally drawn seven walks whereas placing out 18 instances.
“I really feel actually good,” De La Cruz stated by way of interpreter Jorge Merlos. “Clearly, there are going to be some days the place the outcomes aren’t going to be there as a lot as we wish to. However I really feel prepared for the season.”
De La Cruz had an eight-game hitting streak that ended on Sunday. He went 0-for-9 in his previous three video games, together with an 0-for-2 with two strikeouts, two walks, a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday afternoon’s 3-1 split-squad win over the White Sox.
“The season tells us every part we have to know, however I like what he’s doing offensively and defensively,” supervisor David Bell stated.
Particularly after the Reds have been hit this week by accidents to middle fielder TJ Friedl and second baseman Matt McLain, De La Cruz is an especially pivotal participant within the Cincinnati lineup.
As a rookie in 2023, De La Cruz batted .325 with an .887 OPS over his first 30 video games after which .191 with a .627 OPS over the ultimate 68 video games. General, he struck out 144 instances in 427 plate appearances (33.7 p.c).
After the season, De La Cruz went dwelling to the Dominican Republic to start out engaged on enhancements.
Below the steering of hitting coach Joel McKeithan, who made private visits to De La Cruz within the Dominican and Miami, De La Cruz shortened his leg kick earlier than swinging and centered on pitch choice and ready longer earlier than committing to a swing.
The alternative-field-hit-balls — even these for outs — are displaying that his persistence is paying off.
“Getting walks and swinging at pitches that I wish to swing at, swinging at my pitches,” De La Cruz stated. “I’m letting the pitcher do no matter he wants to take action I can get on base.
“In all elements, I’ve felt actually assured. Defensively, I’m extra comfy than I’ve been up to now. Batting, I’m simply able to swing at my pitch.”
The Reds open the season vs. the Nationals in simply over one week on March 28 at Nice American Ball Park. De La Cruz has little doubt that his hitting method will maintain him within the common season.
“I feel it simply began after I was at dwelling … that I knew I used to be prepared,” De La Cruz stated. “The stuff I’ve finished at Spring Coaching form of proves I’ve been prepared. I’m simply able to get the season going.”