Louisville lightning: Elly wows with speed, power
Top-ranked Reds prospect Elly De La Cruz's game is defined by speed. MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 overall prospect, De La Cruz boasts high exit velocities off the bat, zips the baseball from the left side of the infield to first inexplicably fast and also can get around the bases quicker
Top-ranked Reds prospect Elly De La Cruz's game is defined by speed.
MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 overall prospect, De La Cruz boasts high exit velocities off the bat, zips the baseball from the left side of the infield to first inexplicably fast and also can get around the bases quicker than anyone at the Minor League level. In fact, the 10.97 seconds he clocked on his way from home plate to third base during Friday night's 9-4 win for Triple-A Louisville against Worcester tied him for the quickest trip from home-to-third charted at the Major League level in 2023.
Arizona’s Corbin Carroll -- who boasted an equal 70-grade run tool as a prospect -- is the only player in the bigs to have recorded a trek from home to third in a time equal to De La Cruz's this year. Players checking in at 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds aren’t supposed to be able to run the bases as fast as Carroll, but that’s what the Bats have enjoyed when penciling De La Cruz into the lineup.
It goes down as an RBI single to right field for De La Cruz, but his quickness led to him not only taking an extra base after Worcester right fielder Bradley Zimmer booted the ball, but taking third as well on the error. De La Cruz’s sprint speed was clocked at 31.0 ft/sec -- above the "elite" threshold, which is defined as anything at 30 ft/sec or above.
A true five-tool prospect, De La Cruz even dropped a 108.5 mph tank beyond the left-center-field fence just two plate appearances later.
While De La Cruz’s highest-graded tool is indeed his 70-grade speed, the No. 2 shortstop prospect in baseball also entered Friday’s game recording a .293/.390/.626 slash line on the year, routinely producing eye-popping exit velocities. On defense, he’s brought the heat up to 99.2 mph on a throw from third to first this year. Teammates have marveled at his ability to seemingly do it all.
At this point, nobody is surprised at De La Cruz’s heroics. He’s adapted to his first taste of Triple-A action this season as fast as he makes his way around the bases.
Evan Desai is a contributor for MiLB.com.
Redbirds wrap up 12-game road trip with loss at Bulls
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds dropped the finale of a six-game series and 12-game road trip at the Durham Bulls (Triple-A, Tampa Bay Rays) by a 10-5 final score on Sunday afternoon at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham. Memphis scored four of its runs with two outs in
Memphis snags second series victory of road trip with win at Durham
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds claimed game five of a six-game series at the Durham Bulls (Triple-A, Tampa Bay Rays) by a 9-8 final score on Saturday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham. Shortstop Cesar Prieto smacked a pair of home runs and drove in five runs
Redbirds sear Bulls with nine-run second inning in dominant win
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds dominated game four of a six-game series at the Durham Bulls (Triple-A, Tampa Bay Rays) by an 12-2 final score on Friday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham. Memphis jumped in front early with nine runs in the top of the second
Redbirds announce promotions for June 3-8 homestand
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds announced the following promotions and activities for the club’s May 3-8 homestand. Memphis hosts the Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A, Pittsburgh Pirates) at AutoZone Park. Fans can purchase single-game tickets for the entire six-game series here. This homestand is highlighted by Kickoff to Summer Weekend, the
Redbirds drop rain shortened game at Bulls, end win streak
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds dropped game three of a six-game series at the Durham Bulls (Triple-A, Tampa Bay Rays) by an 11-8 final score in seven innings on Thursday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham. Catcher Jimmy Crooks and left fielder Mike Antico each tallied three
Siani leadoff homer sets tone in Memphis win at Durham
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds took game two of a six-game series at the Durham Bulls (Triple-A, Tampa Bay Rays) by a 7-2 final score on Wednesday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham. Designated hitter Michael Siani smacked his second leadoff home run of the road trip.
Redbirds announce Kickoff to Summer Weekend festivities
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – In celebration of the school year coming to a close, the Memphis Redbirds announced promotions for Kickoff to Summer weekend, set for Friday, June 6 through Sunday, June 8 at AutoZone Park. The celebration begins on Friday, June 6 with Margaritaville Night. The first 1,500 fans will
Baker smacks two home runs to help Redbirds defeat Durham
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds claimed the opener of a six-game series at the Durham Bulls (Triple-A, Tampa Bay Rays) by a 6-1 final score on Monday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham. First baseman Luken Baker smacked two home runs in the win, his second multi-homer
Memphis takes series in Jacksonville with steady Sunday victory
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds owned the finale of a six-game series at the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Triple-A, Miami Marlins) by a 7-3 final score on Sunday night at VyStar Ballpark in Jacksonville. The Memphis offense struck for four runs in the top of the first inning. Left fielder
Crooks bats Redbirds to Saturday win at Jumbo Shrimp
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds claimed game five of a six-game series at the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Triple-A, Miami Marlins) by a 7-1 final score on Saturday night at VyStar Ballpark in Jacksonville. Memphis catcher Jimmy Crooks recorded a four RBI night with a 3-for-4 night and added two
Memphis offense sputters for one run at Jacksonville
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds dropped game four of a six-game series at the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Triple-A, Miami Marlins) by a 3-1 final score on Friday night at VyStar Ballpark in Jacksonville. The lone Memphis run came in on a left fielder Matt Koperniak fifth inning RBI single.
Redbirds rally for three runs in eighth to take game three at Jacksonville
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds snagged game three of a six-game series at the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Triple-A, Miami Marlins) by a 5-2 final score on Thursday night at VyStar Ballpark in Jacksonville. Second baseman Jose Fermin gave Memphis an eighth-inning lead with a two-run single. The right-handed hitter
Memphis native Ben Johnson becomes Redbirds all-time winningest manager
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis native Ben Johnson became the winningest manager in Memphis Redbirds history with the club’s 7-3 win over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on Wednesday night at VyStar Ballpark in Jacksonville. With his 368th career win, Johnson breaks a tie with Chris Maloney on the all-time wins list
Vilade homers as Redbirds drop opener at Jacksonville
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds dropped game one of a 12-game road trip and six-game series at the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Triple-A, Miami Marlins) on Tuesday night at VyStar Ballpark in Jacksonville. After Memphis allowed five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, right fielder Ryan Vilade smacked
Johnson ties franchise wins record as Redbirds beat Sounds
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis Redbirds manager Ben Johnson tied Chris Maloney for most wins all-time as the club’s manager with a 10-6 victory over the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A, Milwaukee Brewers) on Sunday afternoon at AutoZone Park. Memphis erupted for seven runs in the fifth inning to solidify the victory. Catcher
Memphis strands tying run in scoring position in loss to Nashville
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds comeback fell short in game five of a six-game series against the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A, Milwaukee Brewers) on Saturday night by a final score of 4-3 at AutoZone Park. Memphis rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Both runs reached
Baker blasts Redbirds past Sounds on Friday night
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds snagged game four of a six-game series against the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A, Milwaukee Brewers) on Friday night by a final score of 8-5 at AutoZone Park. Designated hitter Luken Baker broke out in the biggest way in the win. The right-handed slugger clubbed two
Redbirds bats held quiet by Sounds, drop fifth straight
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds fell in game three of a six-game series against the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A, Milwaukee Brewers) on Thursday afternoon by a final score of 3-1 at AutoZone Park. Second baseman Thomas Saggese smacked his fourth home run of the series, a solo shot in the
Memphis swept in doubleheader by Nashville to begin series
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds were swept in a doubleheader against the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A, Milwaukee Brewers) on Wednesday afternoon at AutoZone Park to begin a six-game series. Second baseman Jose Fermin led the offense in the 11-0 game one loss. The right-handed hitter went 2-for-3 with a stolen
Redbirds to host free Pitch, Hit & Run event on June 14
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds announced a free Pitch, Hit & Run event at AutoZone Park on Saturday, June 14 as part of MiLB PLAY BALL Weekend. Young athletes from ages 7 to 14 will have the opportunity to showcase their pitching, hitting and running with the chance to
Redbirds and Sounds postponed due to wet field conditions
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Tonight’s Memphis Redbirds game against the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A, Milwaukee Brewers) has been postponed due to wet field conditions. The game will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Wednesday, May 14 with first pitch of game one scheduled for 12:05 p.m. CDT. The
Three homers not enough as Redbirds drop finale, series at Knights
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds fell in the finale of a six-game series against the Charlotte Knights (Triple-A, Chicago White Sox) on Sunday afternoon at Truist Park. Memphis took an early lead thanks to a second baseman Michael Helman two-run home run in the second inning, his first as
Redbirds split Saturday doubleheader with Knights
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds split a doubleheader for games four and five of a six-game series against the Charlotte Knights (Triple-A, Chicago White Sox) on Saturday night at Truist Park. Memphis jumped out to an early lead in the 8-4 game one victory. Second baseman Jose Fermin slugged
Memphis claims slugfest for first win of series at Charlotte
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Redbirds earned a win in game three of a six-game series against the Charlotte Knights (Triple-A, Chicago White Sox) by a final score of 13-10 on Friday night at Truist Park. After taking the lead with a four-run second inning, the Memphis offense continued to
Redbirds use alternate identity to honor AutoZone Park barbecue nachos invention
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – In honor of the culinary creation invented at and made famous in AutoZone Park, the Memphis Redbirds will rebrand to the Memphis BBQ Nachos for the club’s Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 games against the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A, Milwaukee Brewers). The origin of barbecue nachos