Elly De La Cruz starts off Reds' spring training opener vs. Guardians with a bang

You shouldn't put much into spring training stats, but watching Elly De La Cruz mash a towering home run during his at-bat of Cactus League play is definitely something worth talking about. The Reds' star sent a 2-2 pitch from Cleveland Guardians pitcher Triston McKenzie over the right-center field wall at Goodyear Ball Park.

With two outs in the bottom of the first inning and the Reds already trailing 2-0, De La Cruz stepped into the batters' box for the first time this spring. De La Cruz fell behind 1-2 after watching the third pitch of the at-bat (maybe) clip the outside of the plate. MLB's new automated ball-strike (ABS) system, certainly allowed De La Cruz to challenge the call, but Reds manager Terry Francona has admonished his team not to use the new technology because it won't be available during the regular season.

Reds' SS Elly De La Cruz sends towering blast out of Goodyear Ballpark

De La Cruz then fouled off the 1-2 offering and a low ball just missed the strike zone, bringing the count to 2-2. McKenzie then made a critical mistake and grooved a pitcher right down Broadway — as The Cowboy Jeff Brantley would say — and De La Cruz unloaded on it.

De La Cruz took a bit of an extended look at the majestic shot that flew an estimated 450 feet, and then began his home run trot as the ball cleared the yard. De La Cruz did his customary 'dab' as he rounded third base and headed for home, and brought the Reds within one run of the Guardians during the first spring training game of the year.

Then, in the bottom of the fourth inning, with the bases empty, De La Cruz — hitting right-handed against Guardians' left-handed pitcher Logan Allen — sent a missile into the seats once again to tie the game at 2-2. The Reds' shortstop is locked in.

De La Cruz went to his first All-Star Game in 2024, and the Reds' superstar is looking to be part of the NL MVP discussion in 2025. If De La Cruz can minimize his strikeouts, he could become one of the best players in the National League. He certainly got off on the right foot on Saturday.

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