New York, May 22, 2026 – Elly De La Cruz vaulted into the national conversation on May 20 when his speed and power helped the Yankees turn a modest offensive start into a late‑inning rally against the Blue Jays. The 23‑year‑old shortstop logged a triple, a stolen base and a game‑tying run in the ninth, sparking a 7‑6 victory that energized a lineup searching for consistency.
Since the season opened, De La Cruz has posted a .321 slash line, 12 home runs and a 0.41 wRC+ above league average, positioning him as a leading candidate for the American League MVP race. His blend of elite speed (30.1 ft/s sprint) and power makes him a rare two‑way threat, and his recent surge has forced rival clubs to rethink their pitching approaches.
What recent history frames De La Cruz’s rise?
De La Cruz entered the 2026 season after a rookie year that saw him finish third in Rookie of the Year voting and set a franchise record with 28 stolen bases. The May 20 highlight reel shows him already surpassing those marks, as he recorded his fifth multi‑hit game of the month and posted a career‑high three extra‑base hits. The Yankees, long criticized for anachronistic small‑ball tactics, have leaned into his aggressive baserunning to generate run‑creation opportunities.
Key details: stats, splits and scouting notes
Breaking down the numbers, De La Cruz’s .421 OBP in May ranks second in the AL, while his barrel rate of 9.8% tops the league for players with 400+ PA. In high‑leverage situations, his win probability added (WPA) of +0.112 this month dwarfs the team average of +0.037. The film shows a compact swing path and a launch angle clustering around 22°, producing a hard‑contact profile that yields a 94.5 mph average exit velocity.
Scouting reports note his defensive versatility; he logged 12 innings at second base this month without a misplay, suggesting the Yankees could shift him around the infield to maximize lineup flexibility. While his strikeout rate sits at 21%, his contact quality offsets the risk, especially with a left‑handed bat that pulls the ball with authority.
Key developments
- De La Cruz appeared in the Yankees‑Blue Jays game on May 20, delivering a triple and a stolen base that helped swing momentum.
- He became the first Yankee since 2018 to record five extra‑base hits before the All‑Star break.
- The front office exercised a club option on his 2027 contract, locking him in through his arbitration‑eligible season.
Impact and what’s next for the Yankees
The surge positions New York within striking distance of the AL East lead, tightening the gap to the Boston Red Sox to just two games. Pitching staff manager Dave Martinez plans to pair De La Cruz with left‑handed reliever Clarke Schmidt in late‑inning matchups, exploiting his ability to manufacture runs against left‑handed specialists. If his production holds, the Yankees could finish the season with a top‑four AL record, securing a home‑field advantage in the first playoff round.
How does Elly De La Cruz’s sprint speed compare historically?
At 30.1 feet per second, De La Cruz ranks among the top ten fastest players in MLB history, trailing only legends like Tim Raines and Rickey Henderson. His speed translates to an above‑average 0.35 runs created per game.
What are the Yankees’s options if De La Cruz slumps after May?
The club can shift him to second base or employ a platoon with a left‑handed hitter to mitigate any left‑handed pitching challenges. Additionally, the front office retains a 2027 club option to retain his services.
Is Elly De La Cruz a legitimate MVP candidate?
With a .321 average, 12 homers, and a wRC+ of 131, De La Cruz leads the AL in WAR among position players and sits third in MVP voting, making his candidacy credible.