Spanish
GOODYEAR, Arizona. – Although the official date for position players of the Cincinnati Reds to report to camp hadn't arrived yet, Dominican shortstop Elly De La Cruz decided to join earlier than expected and begin his preparation.
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The 24-year-old arrived at the training complex and immediately went to the alternate fields to practice batting and work on defensive fundamentals. "I always come early to be ready from day one," said the Dominican. Manager Terry Francona had a brief exchange with his star player, although he anticipated that they will have a more in-depth conversation later about his goals for the season.Consolidated as a centerpiece
De la Cruz faces his fourth season in the Major Leagues after a meteoric rise since his debut in 2023. In 2025, he played all 162 games of the regular season, batting .264, with an OPS of .777, 22 home runs, 86 RBIs, and 37 stolen bases. During the second half of last year, the ambidextrous player saw his power production limited due to a strain in his left quadriceps. However, he assured that the discomfort was left behind after a strengthening program focused on the lower body. "I feel very good. I worked a lot on my legs," he affirmed.Key reinforcement in the alignment
One of the most talked-about moves in the offseason was the signing of Venezuelan third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who agreed to a one-year deal for 15 million dollars. De la Cruz was one of the first teammates to contact him after the agreement was finalized.
"It means a lot. He's a great player and can help us a lot," said the shortstop, who is again shaping up as the third batter, with Suárez providing offensive protection behind him. The return of the slugger, who in 2025 hit 49 home runs between Arizona and Seattle, adds depth to a lineup that last year suffered instability due to injuries in the heart of the order. Francona highlighted that having more offensive threats will allow the team to be more difficult for rivals to decipher. However, he stressed that De la Cruz's individual growth will be decisive. "Consistency is key. Your talent is evident, but the more consistent you are, the more your tools will shine," the pilot pointed out. After a campaign in which Cincinnati managed to advance to the postseason, the team seeks to take an additional step in 2026, with De la Cruz established as the axis around which the present and future of the franchise revolves.
