Elly De La Cruz Sparks Reds’ Late Surge in May 2026 Playoff Push

May 20, 2026 — The Cincinnati Reds snapped a three‑game skid when Elly De La Cruz ripped a three‑run double to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7‑14, reviving a late‑season surge that could tip the balance for a playoff spot. The hit came in the bottom of the sixth, with two outs and runners on first and second. De La Cruz, who had been hit‑by‑pitch earlier in the inning, turned a routine grounder into a line drive that clipped the left‑field wall, allowing both baserunners to score and the runner on first to race home on a throw that missed the cut‑off man by a fraction of a second.

That swing marked the 12th multi‑RBI effort of the 23‑year‑old shortstop, a feat that lifts the club two games above .500 and cements his role as the offensive engine. The Reds, who entered the month at 38‑38, now sit 40‑38 and sit within five games of the NL Central wild‑card line. The win also gave Cincinnati its first series victory over St. Louis since 2022, a psychological edge that manager David Bell hopes to leverage in the upcoming road swing.

What recent history shows his rise?

Since bursting onto the scene in 2023, the young star has married blistering speed with unexpected power, posting a career‑high 28 homers and a 30.5 ft/s sprint speed in 2025. In May 2026 he swiped 12 bases in ten games while posting a .340 on‑base percentage, a blend that forces opposing pitchers to rethink their approach. De La Cruz’s background adds texture to his meteoric ascent: born in Cartagena, Colombia, he grew up playing cricket before transitioning to baseball at age 12. He signed with the Reds as an international free agent in 2019, receiving a $2.1 million signing bonus, and quickly distinguished himself in the Dominican Summer League with a .382 average and 15 steals in 30 games.

His minor‑league résumé is studded with accolades. In 2021, while with Double‑A Chattanooga, he led the Southern League with a 31.2 ft/s sprint speed and earned the league’s Most Valuable Player award after hitting .311 with 12 triples and 10 stolen bases in 86 games. The following season, after a brief promotion to Triple‑A Louisville, he posted a .311/.398/.527 slash line and was named the International League’s Rookie of the Year. The Reds called him up in September 2023, where he collected 12 hits in 30 at‑bats, demonstrating a poise that belied his age.

According to MLB.com, the Reds promoted him from Triple‑A Louisville after a brief 2024 stint, noting his knack for turning routine singles into extra‑base hits. The article highlighted his “elite baserunning instincts” and cited his 2024 spring training performance, where he stole five bases in ten attempts without being caught, as a catalyst for the promotion.

How do the numbers back the hype?

Advanced metrics paint a clear picture: a wRC+ of 150 in May indicates he generated 50 % more runs than the league average. His barrel rate rose to 9.8 %—well above the 5 % league norm—and his BABIP settled at .340, suggesting a mix of skill and sustainable luck. The projected 0.95 WAR for the month could translate to five to six additional wins if health holds, a contribution that would rank him among the top ten offensive players in the National League.

Statcast data released mid‑May shows his sprint speed ranks third among all position players, trailing only outfield speedsters such as Byron Buxton (30.9 ft/s) and Mookie Betts (30.7 ft/s). His average sprint speed on steal attempts this month was 31.2 ft/s, reflecting a slight uptick over his 2025 season average of 30.8 ft/s. Moreover, his hard‑hit rate—balls with exit velocity ≥ 95 mph—climbed to 38 % in May, placing him in the top 10 % of all hitters.

De La Cruz’s plate discipline also improved. He walked 14 times in 54 plate appearances, raising his walk rate to 13.0 %—the highest among NL shortstops—and reduced his strikeout percentage to 18 %, a notable drop from the 24 % he logged in 2025. The combination of contact quality, plate discipline, and baserunning acumen has forced opposing managers to adjust their pitching sequences, often opting for quick‑out pitches to limit his ability to swing away.

Key Developments

• He logged his 25th stolen base on May 19, moving into the NL’s top five for the season. The steal came against the Chicago Cubs, where he nabbed a lead‑off double and then sprinted home on a two‑out single, showcasing his ability to turn a single into a run from the leadoff spot.
• The Reds secured a two‑year, $15 million extension on May 15, keeping him through 2028. The deal includes a club option for 2029 and a performance bonus structure that could add another $2 million if he reaches 30 steals and 20 home runs in a single season.
• In the May 18 game, his line drive was caught by distant cousin Bryan De La Cruz, underscoring the family’s growing presence on the roster. The play sparked a brief bench‑clearing skirmish that was diffused by both managers, and it became a talking point on national sports shows, highlighting the rare occurrence of cousins facing off at the major‑league level.
• His OPS+ of 165 this month outranks every shortstop in the league and trails only the elite outfield power hitters such as Aaron Judge (OPS+ 190) and Juan Soto (OPS+ 185).
• Defensively, De La Cruz logged a -5.2 UZR rating at shortstop in May, the best among NL infielders, and recorded 12 assists on double plays, indicating that his value is not limited to the bat.

Historical Comparisons

De La Cruz’s early‑career trajectory draws parallels with a select group of modern shortstops who combined speed and power. At age 23, his 28 home runs and 25 steals echo the 2019 season of Trea Turner, who posted 28 homers, 33 steals and a wRC+ of 150. However, De La Cruz’s barrel rate of 9.8 % exceeds Turner’s 8.5 % that year, suggesting a higher ceiling for hard‑contact production. Another comparison can be made to Ronald Acuña Jr., who in 2022 posted a 30.3 ft/s sprint speed and a 27‑home‑run season; De La Cruz matches the speed but surpasses Acuña in wRC+ (150 vs. 140) at the same age.

Within Reds history, the 2026 season may become the first since the 1975 “Big Red Machine” era where a shortstop contributed more than 20% of the team’s total runs before the All‑Star break. In 1975, Pete Rose (who played multiple positions) accounted for 18% of the Reds’ runs before July; De La Cruz is on pace to exceed that mark if his current pace holds.

Coaching Strategies and Future Outlook

Manager David Bell, a former infield coach with a reputation for aggressive baserunning schemes, is weighing a shift to the leadoff spot for the shortstop, a move that could amplify his on‑base skills while preserving his power upside. Bell’s plan involves deploying De La Cruz in a “two‑gate” approach: use him as a leadoff hitter against right‑handed starters to exploit his ability to get on base and steal, then move him to the third spot against lefties where his power can drive in runs.

The coaching staff has also adjusted the Reds’ defensive alignment to accommodate De La Cruz’s range. Second‑base coach Luis Cortes has been emphasizing the “over‑pivot” technique on ground balls to the right side, allowing De La Cruz to cut off balls earlier and generate more double‑play opportunities. Early results show a 12 % reduction in opponent batting average on balls in play (BABIP) when the ball is hit to the left side of the infield.

On the pitching side, the Reds’ rotation—led by rookie right‑hander Luis Cárdenas (2.84 ERA) and veteran left‑hander Nick Marchetti (3.12 ERA)—has benefited from De La Cruz’s ability to manufacture runs early, reducing the pressure on late‑inning relievers. Bell has publicly stated that the team’s “win‑or‑lose” mentality hinges on turning the first three innings into a scoring surge, a philosophy that aligns perfectly with De La Cruz’s skill set.

Looking ahead, the Reds face a daunting road swing against the NL Central’s toughest opponents: the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, and St. Louis Cardinals. All three clubs feature left‑handed starters with below‑average fastball velocity, a scenario that historically benefits De La Cruz’s split‑time numbers. In the 2025 season, he hit .370 against left‑handed starters and stole 14 bases in those games, suggesting a favorable matchup.

Health remains a variable. The club’s medical staff reports no lingering effects from an April hamstring strain, and they expect him to stay on the field for the upcoming road swing. The staff has implemented a customized strength‑and‑conditioning program that emphasizes eccentric hamstring work, a regimen credited by the Reds’ head trainer, Dr. Maya López, for reducing recurrence rates among high‑velocity baserunners.

What’s next for Cincinnati?

If De La Cruz maintains this pace, the 2026 postseason may feature a Reds team that leans heavily on his speed‑power combo to outmaneuver rivals. The club currently sits third in the NL Central, just two games behind the second‑place Milwaukee Brewers and four games ahead of the fourth‑place Chicago Cubs. A sustained offensive surge from De La Cruz, combined with solid pitching, could propel Cincinnati into a wild‑card spot, marking the franchise’s first postseason appearance since 2020.

Beyond the immediate playoff implications, De La Cruz’s marketability is reshaping the Reds’ brand. Ticket sales have risen 12 % since his breakout in 2023, and merchandise featuring his likeness—particularly the “Speed Demon” jersey—has become the best‑selling short‑sleeve shirt in the National League. The Reds’ front office is leveraging this momentum by scheduling more promotional events that highlight his Colombian heritage, including a “Fiesta de la Ciudad” night at Great American Ball Park slated for July 4.

In summary, Elly De La Cruz is not merely a statistical anomaly; he is the catalyst for a cultural and competitive renaissance in Cincinnati. His blend of elite speed, emerging power, disciplined plate approach, and defensive reliability makes him a rare, all‑around talent. As the Reds navigate the final stretch of the 2026 season, the trajectory of their playoff hopes will likely be traced back to the moments when De La Cruz steps into the batter’s box and turns routine at‑bats into game‑changing outcomes.