Reds' star Elly De La Cruz just humiliated Carlos Santana with lightning-fast steal

Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz just made Carlos Santana look foolish. The Cleveland Guardians' first baseman thought he had De La Cruz picked off, but instead swiped at nothing but air.

In the bottom of the seventh inning during Friday's game against the Guardians, De La Cruz reached base on a four-pitch walk. Always a threat to steal a base, the Guardians battery of Matt Festa and Bo Naylor were keeping a close watch on the Reds' infielder.

De La Cruz, as he always does, took a favorable lead off first base with Reds outfielder Austin Hays now in the batters' box. Festa's first pitch to Hays was a swinging strike, but Naylor tried to get cute and it cost him.

Reds' star Elly De La Cruz just humiliated Carlos Santana with lightning-fast steal

After receiving the pitch, Naylor whipped the ball down the first base line in an effort to pick De La Cruz off, but the Reds' speedster was already on his way to second base. Unfortunately for Santana, he had no idea De La Cruz was on his horse and headed for second.

By the time Santana attempted a swipe-tag at first base, the Reds shortstop was halfway to his destination. De La Cruz slid in safely and recorded his 15th stolen base of the season. Unfortunately for the Reds, De La Cruz and Hays were stranded, and the Reds failed to increase their 5-3 lead over the Guardians. Cincinnati, however, held on for the 5-4 victory over their in-state rival.

De La Cruz hadn't been stealing as many bases this season as many assumed he would. Though he still leads all Reds' players with 15 swipes on the season, De La Cruz still trails the MLB leader Luis Robert Jr. by two and division rival Oneil Cruz by one. Don't worry, Reds fans, he's just warming up.

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