Reds Must Learn to Live with the Errors of Elly De La Cruz
During the Cincinnati Reds 11-7 loss to the Seattle Mariners in extras, the team once again saw Elly De La Cruz fumble in the field in a big moment. As a matter of fact, on two occasions in the series-ending loss.
The first came in the fifth inning when the game was tied 2-2, as De La Cruz's error not only meant Cal Raleigh was safe at first, but Julio Rodriguez could score safely. Then, the same scenario played out again, as the Mariners scored their 11th run of the game, as De La Cruz could not get the ball to first in time.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) misplays a ground ball off the bat of Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) in the fifth inning of the MLB Interleague game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Seattle Mariners at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The Mariners beat the Reds, 11-7, in 10 innings. © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Some may just consider this a random outlier, however, errors on defense are simply just part of De La Cruz's game at this stage of his career. He leads all shortstops with six errors and is dead last in fielding percentage at .922. To put that into perspective, the average shortstop to date this season has a fielding percentage of .972%.
Advertisement
Only 19 games into his season, it is a smaller sample size, albeit a concerning one. A year ago, De La Cruz led the majors in errors with 29, on his way to a .954 fielding percentage. In other words, the track record of mishaps on defense is nothing new. Rather, the rate at which they are occurring is higher than ever before.
Believe it or not, even with the miscues in the field, De La Cruz remains an above-average shortstop defensively. Going beyond his 6'5" and 200lbs frame, he has incredible range at the position and currently leads the National League in putouts with 30. So far in 2025, he has one defensive run saved and a 0.2 defensive WAR, indicating he can make up for his fielding issues.
There is no chance the Reds are actively going to move him out of shortstop either. Having only just turned 23 years old in January, with only one full season in the MLB under his belt, these are merely the growing pains that come with a young superstar. There is no doubt De La Cruz will get better over time, but for now, the Reds must learn to live with his errors and inconsistent fielding.
Related: Emilio Pagan's Stellar Start Comes to a Halt Against Mariners
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
C. Notes: Wade Miley's impact goes beyond the mound
Almost exactly two years ago, the Cincinnati Reds called up a 21-year-old Elly De La Cruz, and it was like a jolt of lightning. After losing a series at home to the Milwaukee Brewers on June 5 and falling to 27-33 on the season, the Reds called up the top prospect in baseball for the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Advertisement From De La Cruz's debut on June 6 to the end of the month, the Reds went 17-5, climbing from third in the division and 5 1/2 games back of the Pittsburgh Pirates (really) to first, a game up on the Brewers. This June 4, left-hander Wade Miley, 17 years older, 4 inches shorter and 20 pounds heavier, was activated by the Reds. Both players held pregame news conferences before their first games, but only one talked about getting dominated in High-A. Miley pitched later that night in mop-up duty against his old team, the Brewers. The next game, the Reds began a five-game winning streak, and they have now won seven of their last nine. Since Miley joined the team, the Reds have notched their first walk-off and shutout of the season, their first Ohio Cup since 2014, and their first comeback win of the season when trailing after seven innings. They also won a series after dropping the opening game of the series for the first time since June 2023. After a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Miley made his first start last Monday in Cleveland. He threw five quality innings and earned the win, the team's fourth straight. 'Having him out there, it felt like he gave everyone a lift,' Reds manager Terry Francona said after the Reds' 7-4 victory that night. 'I mean, he's energetic. And I know he's old, but he's energetic, and he competes, and I just think there was a good energy in the dugout.' At 38, Miley has made not just a career in baseball but friendships everywhere, including Cincinnati, having played two years with the Reds and throwing a no-hitter in a Reds uniform. After undergoing Tommy John surgery last year, Miley nearly retired before former Reds medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek convinced him to have the elbow surgery and give it one more shot in baseball. Even though Miley was a Red in 2021, the roster had almost completely turned over when he came into the clubhouse this spring after signing a minor-league deal. Advertisement It didn't take long for Miley to make his presence felt. Like his manager, Miley loves little more than a self-deprecating joke. Like Francona, Miley's aw-shucks facade belies an understanding of the game that borders on genius. The combination of knowledge, likability and laughter made him an immediate team leader in Goodyear. Most days in the clubhouse started and ended with Miley sitting at a table, holding court with players of all stripes. It's why when Miley opted out of his contract earlier this month, Reds closer Emilio Pagán immediately texted him: 'We've got to find a way to get you here.' Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall was ahead of Pagán. Because Miley had pitched the night before his opt-out, he wouldn't be able to start right away anyway. So Krall encouraged Miley to file for free agency and look around for a starting job, as there wasn't one at that point in Cincinnati. Miley, whose family was already in Cincinnati for the season, spent three days at home, waiting to hear if there was a better offer than staying with the Reds. He didn't expect any and didn't get any. Three days later, he was on the Reds' 40-man roster. That day, Opening Day starter Hunter Greene went on the injured list, opening a spot for Miley in the rotation just when the Reds needed him. Miley won his first game, then had another solid outing in Sunday's victory over the Detroit Tigers, owners of baseball's best record. Yet again, after the game, Francona talked about the 'extra energy' Miley has brought. Pagán said he felt the same thing. 'I'm not sure if we're fully aware right now the impact he's going to have,' Pagán said after picking up his 16th save of the season in Miley's start against the Guardians. 'Obviously, he's a tremendous pitcher, but he's going to impact us way beyond just what he gives us on the mound.' Advertisement Pagán, who's in his second season with the team, credited Krall and general manager Brad Meador for building around the young talent with veterans like Miley, catcher Jose Trevino, infielder Santiago Espinal, infielder/outfielder Gavin Lux and outfielder Austin Hays. 'It's already impacted us so far this year,' Pagán said. 'Even though our record's probably not where we wanted it to be, just adding another guy like Wade, when you go into those slumps or whatever and you're not getting the results you want, it means a bit more when somebody like Wade can come by and say you're going about your business the right way.' Even this week, after The Athletic reported that Wiley had been named in a lawsuit related to the death of former teammate Tyler Skaggs, he handled it like a professional. He was at his locker, ready to take questions as soon as it opened Friday in Detroit. It's the type of action that gains respect in the clubhouse, the manager's office, the front office and the press box, a rare feat in itself. Jake Fraley's game-saving catch in Tuesday's victory over the Guardians finished second on ESPN's 'Web Gems' of the week, behind the home run robbery by the Athletics' Denzel Clarke a day before. It was a tough week to take the top spot, with Clarke's catch already being mentioned among some of the great catches in baseball history, but Fraley said his catch this week was probably second on his list. JAKE FRALEY, FULL EXTENSION 😱 — MLB (@MLB) June 11, 2025 Fraley made the diving, backhanded catch for the first out of the seventh inning on what would've been a triple by José Ramírez, helping preserve Andrew Abbott's shutout. 'It kind of had that feel of a no-hitter or perfect game — like, every pitch matters,' Fraley said. 'Going through a game like that, you've got to stay locked in above and beyond.' Fraley was asked where the catch ranked in his career, and he surprisingly said it was second to a game-saving home run robbery he made in 2021 while with the Seattle Mariners. Advertisement On June 9, 2021, Fraley robbed the Tigers' Isaac Paredes of a walk-off home run. Not only did Fraley go over the wall to pull the homer back, but he also got the ball in quickly to the infield, where second baseman Shed Long threw on to first to double up the Tigers' Miguel Cabrera for an inning-ending double play. The Mariners went on to win in 11 innings. UNREAL 🤯 — Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 10, 2021 'It was like full-extension, jump up all the way back — way up — and it kept us in the game because it would've been a walk-off, and we eventually ended up winning,' Fraley said. Saturday, the Reds traded for right-hander Brian Van Belle from the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations. Van Belle had been designated for assignment earlier in the week. The same day, the Reds claimed infielder/outfielder Ryan Vilade off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals. Both players were optioned to Triple-A Louisville. To make room for Vilade on the 40-man roster, outfielder Jacob Hurtubise was designated for assignment. Van Belle, 28, was 5-1 with a 2.29 ERA in 12 games and eight starts for the Red Sox's Triple-A affiliate in Worcester. Over 51 innings with Worcester, Van Belle had 41 strikeouts and seven walks. Vilade, 26, has appeared in 27 big-league games over three seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Tigers and Cardinals. At Triple-A Memphis, Vilade hit .280/.375/.476 with five home runs over 48 games. Not only did the Reds take the Ohio Cup for the first time since 2014 by winning two of three in Cleveland this week, to go with the sweep in Cincinnati last month, but the team also went to Detroit and took a series from one of the best teams in baseball. It was the first time they had won a series when dropping the opener since June 26-28, 2023, a stretch of 39 series. Sunday's win was also the first time this season the Reds won a game when trailing after the seventh inning. They came into Sunday 0-29 in such games. The win, coupled with a Cardinals loss, put the Reds in a tie for third in the National League Central with the Cardinals, 1 1/2 games behind the Brewers and 6 1/2 behind the Chicago Cubs. Advertisement After a day off Monday, the Reds welcome the 36-35 Minnesota Twins for three games and then head to St. Louis for a weekend series with the Cardinals. The Reds' next six series are against teams with winning records: the Twins, Cardinals, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies. • RHP Hunter Greene (right groin sprain) saw specialists in Los Angeles last week for his groin and back and received an epidural for his back. He is expected to report to the team's complex in Goodyear, Ariz. • OF Austin Hays (left foot contusion) had an MRI on Wednesday in Cleveland that confirmed the bone bruise. Hays said he didn't feel right when he went through pregame work Tuesday. He was shut down to see if rest would help. • RHP Carson Spiers (right shoulder impingement) is throwing bullpens in Goodyear. • RHP Rhett Lowder (right forearm strain/left oblique strain) went to Arizona to continue his rehab. • 3B Noelvi Marte (left oblique strain) will need another MRI before beginning a rehab assignment, but Francona said Marte has been feeling better and the team was shooting for a rehab assignment beginning Friday. • IF Jeimer Candelario (lumbar spine strain) is hitting .194/.326/.250 in 10 games on his rehab assignment at Louisville. • Triple-A Louisville (29-40): In 13 games this month, OF Rece Hinds is 18-for-47 (.383) with a home run and nine doubles. He has struck out nine times and walked five times in 53 plate appearances. • Double-A Chattanooga (31-28): OF Austin Hendrick, the team's first-round pick in 2020, is hitting .248/.333/.426 with six home runs for the Lookouts this season. He has three homers and is hitting .294 in 10 games this month. • High-A Dayton (20-43): IF Cam Collier, on a rehab assignment with the Dragons, hit his first home run in Dayton on Saturday. Since his first game with the Dragons this year on June 4, he's hitting .293/.370/.415. • Class-A Daytona (27-36): C/1B Ryan McCrystal had two more hits Sunday; he has multiple hits in five of his last eight games. He's now hitting .283/.364/.455 on the season and .440/.481/.640 this month.
Fox Sports
3 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Red Sox try to keep win streak going against the Mariners
Associated Press Boston Red Sox (37-36, fourth in the AL East) vs. Seattle Mariners (36-34, second in the AL West) Seattle; Monday, 9:40 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Red Sox: Lucas Giolito (2-1, 5.45 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 31 strikeouts); Mariners: Logan Gilbert (0-0) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Mariners -190, Red Sox +157; over/under is 7 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Red Sox will attempt to keep their five-game win streak alive when they visit the Seattle Mariners. Seattle has a 36-34 record overall and a 19-17 record at home. The Mariners have the ninth-ranked team batting average in the AL at .243. Boston is 15-19 in road games and 37-36 overall. The Red Sox have the second-ranked team slugging percentage in the AL at .422. Monday's game is the fourth time these teams meet this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Cal Raleigh leads the Mariners with 38 extra base hits (12 doubles and 26 home runs). Rowdy Tellez is 7 for 32 with two doubles, two home runs and three RBIs over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Mariners: 4-6, .286 batting average, 4.55 ERA, outscored by five runs Red Sox: 8-2, .263 batting average, 4.21 ERA, outscored opponents by 11 runs INJURIES: Mariners: Bryce Miller: 15-Day IL (elbow), Collin Snider: 15-Day IL (forearm), Luke Raley: 10-Day IL (side), Gregory Santos: 60-Day IL (knee), Logan Gilbert: 15-Day IL (forearm), Victor Robles: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Bliss: 60-Day IL (biceps) Red Sox: Jordan Hicks: 15-Day IL (toe), Wilyer Abreu: 10-Day IL (oblique), Josh Winckowski: 60-Day IL (elbow), Nick Burdi: 15-Day IL (knee), Justin Slaten: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Liam Hendriks: 15-Day IL (hip), Alex Bregman: 10-Day IL (quadricep), Triston Casas: 60-Day IL (knee), Masataka Yoshida: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Kutter Crawford: 60-Day IL (knee), Tanner Houck: 15-Day IL (flexor), Chris Murphy: 60-Day IL (elbow), Patrick Sandoval: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. recommended
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Red Sox try to keep win streak going against the Mariners
Boston Red Sox (37-36, fourth in the AL East) vs. Seattle Mariners (36-34, second in the AL West) Seattle; Monday, 9:40 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Red Sox: Lucas Giolito (2-1, 5.45 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 31 strikeouts); Mariners: Logan Gilbert (0-0) Advertisement BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Mariners -190, Red Sox +157; over/under is 7 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Red Sox will attempt to keep their five-game win streak alive when they visit the Seattle Mariners. Seattle has a 36-34 record overall and a 19-17 record at home. The Mariners have the ninth-ranked team batting average in the AL at .243. Boston is 15-19 in road games and 37-36 overall. The Red Sox have the second-ranked team slugging percentage in the AL at .422. Monday's game is the fourth time these teams meet this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Cal Raleigh leads the Mariners with 38 extra base hits (12 doubles and 26 home runs). Rowdy Tellez is 7 for 32 with two doubles, two home runs and three RBIs over the past 10 games. Advertisement LAST 10 GAMES: Mariners: 4-6, .286 batting average, 4.55 ERA, outscored by five runs Red Sox: 8-2, .263 batting average, 4.21 ERA, outscored opponents by 11 runs INJURIES: Mariners: Bryce Miller: 15-Day IL (elbow), Collin Snider: 15-Day IL (forearm), Luke Raley: 10-Day IL (side), Gregory Santos: 60-Day IL (knee), Logan Gilbert: 15-Day IL (forearm), Victor Robles: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Bliss: 60-Day IL (biceps) Red Sox: Jordan Hicks: 15-Day IL (toe), Wilyer Abreu: 10-Day IL (oblique), Josh Winckowski: 60-Day IL (elbow), Nick Burdi: 15-Day IL (knee), Justin Slaten: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Liam Hendriks: 15-Day IL (hip), Alex Bregman: 10-Day IL (quadricep), Triston Casas: 60-Day IL (knee), Masataka Yoshida: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Kutter Crawford: 60-Day IL (knee), Tanner Houck: 15-Day IL (flexor), Chris Murphy: 60-Day IL (elbow), Patrick Sandoval: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
