© Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY
Reacting to Elly De La Cruz's Struggles in Cincinnati Reds' Loss to Philadelphia Phillies
The 22-year-old had three errors on Tuesday against the Phillies.
CINCINNATI — Reds youngster Elly De La Cruz isn't off to a bad start at the plate this season. The 22-year-old has a hit in each of Cincinnati's first five games, including two extra base hits. He's also scored four runs and has two steals.
This is his first full season of big league ball, which means there will be plenty of growing pains for De La Cruz. That includes untimely strikeouts. He may go fishing for a breaking ball that he shouldn't chase. Those things are expected.
What we can't expect and no one should accept is a lackadaisical effort at shortstop.
De La Cruz looked like he was doing a ground ball drill at the start of spring training on Tuesday against the Phillies.
He was charged with three errors, including two that were effort plays. The first one was a ball he fielded after two bounces up the middle. He was nonchalant in his approach and the throw to first wasn't in time. That cost the Reds a run. His second error was on a bad decision to try to flip the ball directly from his glove to Jonathan India on a double play ball. It was part of a 5-run seventh inning that ended the Reds chances of mounting a comeback. He also misfielded a ball in the eighth inning when the game was practically over.
"Couple plays maybe tried to be too quick," Reds manager David Bell said. "The main thing is don't be tentative. He has to stay aggressive and continue to try to make plays. That'll be the message to Elly."
It isn't time to panic. De La Cruz has the talent. He has to stay focused and disciplined if he's going to reach his full potential—not only at the plate, but in the field. Let's hope he learns from Tuesday night and becomes a better player because of it.
The Reds play the Phillies on Wednesday at 4:05 p.m. ET.
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