Reds fans can finally end this tiresome Elly De La Cruz debate once and for all

Ever since Elly De La Cruz made his Major League debut in 2023, fans and pundits alike have debated about whether or not his size would translate to playing shortstop in the big leagues. The Cincinnati Reds superstar has done enough already this season to put those questions to bed — forever.

Reds fans are used to seeing De La Cruz make spectacular plays — like the one during Tuesday's game against the Colorado Rockies where backed up Ke'Bryan Hayes' jumping attempt to field the ball and threw across his body in time to record the out at first base.

And it's doubtful that the Cincinnati faithful are surprised when they watch De La Cruz use his speed and arm strength to turn would-be base hits into outs — much like he did during Thursday's series finale against the Rockies when he ranged behind second base, dove onto the outfield grass, and threw a dart to first base that beat the runner.

Fair or unfair, those are the types of plays that Reds fans expect De La Cruz to make with regularity. His physical gifts turn a seemingly impossible play into a standard 6-3 put out. It's been the routine plays, however, that have dogged his steps throughout the early-going, and so far this season, Elly appears to have put those mistakes behind him.

Reds fans can end the Elly De La Cruz-to-the-outfield discourse

De La Cruz struggled defensively during his first three Major League seasons. While some of the advanced metrics loved his performance at shortstop — 13 career outs above average (OAA) — he led the league in errors in both 2024 (29) and 2025 (26). And it wasn't just fielding the ball. De La Cruz committed more throwing errors (38) than fielding errors (37) during those two seasons.

Given hisunique blend of speed and arm strength, it was easy to see why so many fans and critics wanted to see De La Cruz moved from the infield dirt to the outfield grass. Reds fans had visions of a player similar to the Platinum Glove Award winning Fernando Tatis Jr. prowling about in the outfield at Great American Ball Park.

But while Tatis and former Reds shortstop-turned-centerfielder Billy Hamilton are success stories, there are just as many tragedies when discussing infielders being transitioned into outfielders. Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz has struggled adjusting to center field since the Buccos made the switch back in 2024. Then there was former Reds first-round pick Nick Senzel who never made the transition.

This was going to be a make-or-break year for De La Cruz when it came to his long-term defensive home. Cincinnati has a ton of talented shortstops coming up through the pipeline, and if there was ever an opportunity for the Reds to make a change, it was this season.

But De La Cruz's play through the first month of the 2026 season should put all that chatter to rest for good. It's now time to view Elly as the Reds' starting shortstop. Next, perhaps the Reds can start paying him like it.

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