Reds prospect Elly De La Cruz has message for Matt McLain following subdued home run trot

Cincinnati Reds mob shortstop Matt McLain (78) after his walk-off solo home run.
Cincinnati Reds mob shortstop Matt McLain (78) after his walk-off solo home run. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY

During the bottom ninth inning of the Cincinnati Reds first exhibition game of the spring, shortstop prospect Matt McLain smoked a walk-off bomb over the fence in left field that banged off the scoreboard.

McLain's home run gave the Reds a 4-3 win over the Cleveland Guardians and it certainly has the fanbase talking about what might be after seeing the former first-round pick show off some power in the team's first Cactus League of the spring.

One of McLain's teammates, however, was mildly disappointed. Not so much with the result, but with the somber way that McLain rounded the bases after hitting his walk-off blast.

Reds prospect Elly De La Cruz has message for Matt McLain following his subdued HR trot.

During an interview with Bally Sports Ohio broadcaster Jim Day on Monday, Matt McLain was reminded of the conversation that he had with fellow prospect Elly De La Cruz after Saturday's walk-off victory.

De La Cruz was somewhat critical of McLain's home run trot after hitting the walk-off winner. Apparently, De La Cruz pulled McLain aside and jokingly suggested that the two would need to meet early the next morning so that De La Cruz could teach McLain how to showboat more.

In the event that you've never seen De La Cruz play in the minor leagues, consider this a warning - he loves to celebrate after hitting home runs. To be fair, most of De La Cruz's homers are rocketed off the bat and some even land outside of the stadium. He has reason to celebrate.

Fans of the Cincinnati Reds will have wait and see whether or not Matt McLain took Elly De La Cruz up on his offer. Both shortstops are battling for a spot on the Reds Opening Day roster, but it seems unlikely that either will break camp with the big league club. That said, if Jose Barrero struggles this spring, it could open the door for either McLain or De La Cruz.

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