Since no one else did a thread: Elly De La Cruz

[YourFriendGannon]

even the double was hit so hard... almost 117 mph

He’s making people forget about Oneil.

Oneil Cruz crushes hardest-hit ball possibly ever

PITTSBURGH -- Oneil Cruz was born to break Statcast. The Pirates’ 6-foot-7 shortstop has already set marks with his crazy strong arm, but in Wednesday’s 14-2 loss to the Braves, he recorded the hardest-hit ball in Statcast history with a 122.4 mph single that nearly went out for a homer

www.mlb.com

 

[Stakesarehigh]

Y'all need to check out this kid the Reds just brought up. Gonna be a superstar

he has been ridiculous

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

So far the dude has been spectacular.
But let's wait to see if this kid isn't another flash in the pan.
He's been on a real nice tear since his call up no doubt...but as we all know baseball has an uncanny and cruel way of bringing "phenoms" back to earth rather abruptly, and been doing so through the decades.

 

[Stakesarehigh]

So far the dude has been spectacular.
But let's wait to see if this kid isn't another flash in the pan.
He's been on a real nice tear since his call up no doubt...but as we all know baseball has an uncanny and cruel way of bringing "phenoms" back to earth rather abruptly, and been doing so through the decades.

flash in the pan types are usually not the number one prospect in all of baseball. injuries aside i don't see any reason this dude won't continue.

 

[chillerdab]

The true test comes when the league adjusts.

Looks good now though!

 

[navamind]

What an electric game. Sold out crowd, Reds were down 5-0, the cycle, and Votto even hit two homers.

 

[Sportsguy9695]

So far the dude has been spectacular.
But let's wait to see if this kid isn't another flash in the pan.
He's been on a real nice tear since his call up no doubt...but as we all know baseball has an uncanny and cruel way of bringing "phenoms" back to earth rather abruptly, and been doing so through the decades.

I agree with u. Let’s see if he can keep it up but it’s a hell of a start

 

[catman]

I haven't looked into him yet but I'll be honest, I kind of hate him already because of that stupid name. I mean, Maurice Jones-Drew is fine but if your name is already Encarnacion you shouldn't get to add more to it. Just pick a name. In the time it takes to say that Elly Dela Cruz could circle the bases twice.

I saw Encarnacion-Strand play in high A and he is a good hitter. Good strike-zone judgement. Good bat to ball skills. He really doesn't have a defensive position, though. He plays 3B and 1B, but neither particularly well. He might end up in the outfield.

 

[Cedrique]

I saw Encarnacion-Strand play in high A and he is a good hitter. Good strike-zone judgement. Good bat to ball skills. He really doesn't have a defensive position, though. He plays 3B and 1B, but neither particularly well. He might end up in the outfield.

With the young guys coming up the Reds seem to be making a quick turnaround from last season's 100 loss team

 

[selkies ftw]

Hits a single, steals all three bases. Incredible.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Hits a single, steals all three bases. Incredible.

What a play but that’s on the Brewers. Idiots are standing around, clueless

 

[kcden]

Was this kid just not ready to start the year, or did the Reds actively decide that they would rather not have a free #31 pick in next year's draft?

EDIT: Not to mention, punting a few games (probably) before they brought him up when they are a contender (guessing they figured on tanking another year?)

 

[navamind]

Was this kid just not ready to start the year, or did the Reds actively decide that they would rather not have a free #31 pick in next year's draft?

EDIT: Not to mention, punting a few games (probably) before they brought him up when they are a contender (guessing they figured on tanking another year?)

I think the Reds were right to start him in AAA. He did destroy AA, but he did have some strikeout issues (struck out 30.9% in AA) and he's still striking out quite a bit (26.9% in AAA, 28.9% in majors). Not too worried about the K's, it's not like he has a sky high whiff rate (12.0%). That .440 BABIP is gonna come down though. I do think he has the speed and power to post high BABIPs, he's done it throughout his professional career... but .440 is just unsustainable for anyone. Regardless, he is a lot of fun to watch and he is probably going to be fun to watch for a long time.

They could still use some rotation help especially with Greene out. Abbott became a pretty intriguing prospect this year and he's looked great so far, though he needs to cut down on his flyball rate

 

[WiggyRuss]

He’s making people forget about Oneil.

Oneil Cruz crushes hardest-hit ball possibly ever

PITTSBURGH -- Oneil Cruz was born to break Statcast. The Pirates’ 6-foot-7 shortstop has already set marks with his crazy strong arm, but in Wednesday’s 14-2 loss to the Braves, he recorded the hardest-hit ball in Statcast history with a 122.4 mph single that nearly went out for a homer

www.mlb.com

honestly - the body types are so similar but Elly seems to have more bat to ball skills.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I think the Reds were right to start him in AAA. He did destroy AA, but he did have some strikeout issues (struck out 30.9% in AA) and he's still striking out quite a bit (26.9% in AAA, 28.9% in majors). Not too worried about the K's, it's not like he has a sky high whiff rate (12.0%). That .440 BABIP is gonna come down though. I do think he has the speed and power to post high BABIPs, he's done it throughout his professional career... but .440 is just unsustainable for anyone. Regardless, he is a lot of fun to watch and he is probably going to be fun to watch for a long time.

They could still use some rotation help especially with Greene out. Abbott became a pretty intriguing prospect this year and he's looked great so far, though he needs to cut down on his flyball rate

plus when they brought him up it was past the super 2 date- which I am sure was a conisderation.

he def. can post some high babip numbers but .440 is pretty ridiculous.

 

[kcden]

plus when they brought him up it was past the super 2 date- which I am sure was a conisderation.

he def. can post some high babip numbers but .440 is pretty ridiculous.

I'm sure that was, but that was part of the point of the change to give out pretty valuable draft picks for having a RoY be on your opening day roster... and young players like Elly never go through all of their arbitration years before they negotiate a long-term contract anymore, so that shouldn't really be a consideration for teams any longer.... IMO, at least.

 

[msgkings322]

Was this kid just not ready to start the year, or did the Reds actively decide that they would rather not have a free #31 pick in next year's draft?

EDIT: Not to mention, punting a few games (probably) before they brought him up when they are a contender (guessing they figured on tanking another year?)

No one including the Reds thought they'd go from last place to where they are now so quickly

 

[WiggyRuss]

With the young guys coming up the Reds seem to be making a quick turnaround from last season's 100 loss team

its a shame Lodolo and Greene are hurt--- but even if healthy they still need some SP. They have enough minor league talent to go get one though.

Not sure I would trust Giolito and give up anything substantial for him.

 

[navamind]

its a shame Lodolo and Greene are hurt--- but even if healthy they still need some SP. They have enough minor league talent to go get one though.

Not sure I would trust Giolito and give up anything substantial for him.

I don't think Giolito is a good fit for GABP just because of his flyball tendencies. Not that the Cell suppresses home runs by any means, but GABP is the most home run friendly ballpark in MLB.

Statcast Park Factors

Baseball Savant

baseballsavant.mlb.com

 

[msgkings322]

I don't think Giolito is a good fit for GABP just because of his flyball tendencies. Not that the Cell suppresses home runs by any means, but GABP is the most home run friendly ballpark in MLB.

Statcast Park Factors

Baseball Savant

baseballsavant.mlb.com

Giants need him and their park isn't a problem that way