Cincinnati Reds rookie Elly De La Cruz made a statement during Wednesday night's 9-2 victory over the Washington Nationals, launching a 455-foot home run and sending a clear message to the opposing dugout. The incident began in the second inning when Nationals manager Davey Martinez requested umpires to inspect De La Cruz's bat, suspecting an illegal tracking device in the knob. A sensor cover was indeed present, and De La Cruz was instructed to remove it. Although he struck out in that at-bat, De La Cruz would have his revenge.
In the fifth inning, after flying out in a previous at-bat, De La Cruz crushed a curveball for his fourth home run of the season. But it wasn't just the home run that drew attention. After connecting, he pointedly turned to the Nationals dugout, gesturing towards the knob of his bat (with the sensor cover now reattached) as if to invite further inspection. This bold move by the young player hinted at his displeasure with Martinez's earlier challenge.
De La Cruz enjoyed a productive night, going 3-for-6 with two runs scored and an RBI from his impressive home run. Since his call-up on June 6, the 21-year-old has been making waves, boasting a .318 batting average, .356 on-base percentage, .536 slugging percentage, and a .892 OPS. He's also tallied four homers, eight doubles, two triples, and 14 RBI in just 26 games.
De La Cruz's electrifying play, combining speed, power, and a flair for the dramatic, has captivated fans beyond Cincinnati. His on-field prowess was further highlighted by a cycle achieved against the Atlanta Braves on June 23, where he contributed four RBI. While his future in baseball appears bright, Wednesday night's game revealed a competitive spirit that doesn't take kindly to being questioned.
