Elly De La Cruz Named Reds Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America
Dayton, Ohio—Elly De La Cruz, who spent the majority of the 2022 season with the Dayton Dragons, has been selected as the Cincinnati Reds Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America. This is the first of what is expected to be many honors and awards for De La
Dayton, Ohio—Elly De La Cruz, who spent the majority of the 2022 season with the Dayton Dragons, has been selected as the Cincinnati Reds Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America. This is the first of what is expected to be many honors and awards for De La Cruz based on his achievements this season.
De La Cruz opened the 2022 season with the Dragons and remained with the club until he was promoted to Double-A Chattanooga on July 22. He stayed with the Chattanooga club through the end of their season on September 18.
Overall this season (with Dayton and Chattanooga combined), De La Cruz played in 120 games, batting .304 with 28 home runs, 86 runs batted in, 47 stolen bases, and an OPS of .945. He became the first player in Minor League Baseball to hit at least 25 home runs, steal at least 40 bases, and hit at least .300 in a season since George Springer in 2013.
De La Cruz led the Reds organization in nearly every offensive category including batting average, home runs, RBI, runs, hits, extra base hits, doubles, triples, total bases, slugging percentage, and OPS.
With the Dragons, De La Cruz was one of the youngest players in the Midwest League. He played in 72 games and batted .302 with 20 home runs. He finished just one home run short of the league lead despite being promoted out of the league with about seven weeks to play in the season. De La Cruz became the first player in Dragons history to hit at least 20 home runs and steal at least 20 bases while batting at least .300.
In a Baseball America survey of Midwest League managers, De La Cruz was named the league’s “Most Exciting Player,” “Best Batting Prospect,” “Best Power Prospect,” and “Fastest Baserunner.” De La Cruz will be a strong contender for 2022 Midwest League Most Valuable Player (the voting results have not yet been announced).
Dayton Dragons 2023 season tickets packages are available now. The packages include many new benefits including membership in the Dragons Business Club or Family Club, gift card, and a return of benefits enjoyed by 2022 season tickets holders, all with no price increase from last season. For more information, call (937) 228-2287 or go to daytondragons.com/tickets.
More Information:_ The Dayton Dragons are the affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 66-game home schedule at beautiful Day Air Ballpark_ in the heart of the Water Street District. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, season tickets, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.
#
Dayton Dragons Upcoming Homestand Preview Presented by AES Ohio (June 3-8 vs. Lansing)
On Tuesday, June 3, the Dayton Dragons open a six-game series against the Lansing Lugnuts at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. View the entire Homestand Preview, presented by AES Ohio, HERE.
Whitecaps Complete Series Sweep with 11-3 Win over Dragons on Sunday
West Michigan 11, Dragons 3 Click here for the box score West Michigan (R-H-E): 11-11-2; Dayton (R-H-E): 3-6-2 Win: Ty Mattison (1-0); Loss: Nestor Lorant (0-2); Save: None HR: Dayton: None HR: West Michigan: Seth Stephenson (5th, 1 on base in fourth inning). Dayton, Ohio—West Michigan’s Kevin McGonigle collected three
Tee Higgins, Ickey Woods, Gio Bernard added for Logan Wilson Celebrity Softball Game
DAYTON, Ohio – Day Air Ballpark is excited to welcome back the Logan Wilson Celebrity Softball Game, presented by Kettering Health for the third year on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Bengals star receiver Tee Higgins has been added to the list of players expected to participate. Higgins has spent all
Briceno's 9th Inning Grand Slam Lifts West Michigan over Dragons, 7-4
West Michigan 7, Dragons 4 Click here for the box score West Michigan (R-H-E): 7-11-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 4-9-1 Win: Micah Ashman (3-2); Loss: Cody Adcock (0-3); Save: Trevin Michael (3) HR: Dayton: Carlos Jorge (4th, 0 on base in second inning). HR: West Michigan: Josue Briceno (12th, 3 on base
Whitecaps Continue High-Scoring Series with 13-2 Win over Dragons
West Michigan 13, Dragons 2 Click here for the box score West Michigan (R-H-E): 13-16-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 2-6-0 Win: Andrew Sears (3-2); Loss: Adam Serwinowski (0-4); Save: None HR: Dayton: Leo Balcazar (5th, 0 on base in fourth inning); Carter Graham (1st, 0 on base in sixth inning). HR: West
Water Street District to Host Party at the Plaza on June 6
DAYTON, Ohio -- Water Street District is set to host its second of three 2025 “Party at the Plaza” events on Friday, June 6 at Day Air Ballpark. The Dragons and Water Street District encourage fans and downtown residents to visit the plaza between 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm to
West Michigan's Josue Briceno Hits 3 Home Runs as Whitecaps Top Dragons, 14-1
West Michigan 14, Dragons 1 Click here for the box score West Michigan (R-H-E): 14-16-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 1-8-1 Win: Kenny Serwa (3-1); Loss: Brian Edgington (2-2); Save: None HR: Dayton: None HR: West Michigan: Josue Briceno, 3 (9th, 0 on base in first inning; 10th, 0 on base in fourth
Dragons Veteran Salute Program to Honor Lance Corporal Joe Kleiner on Sunday
DAYTON, Ohio -- CareSource Military & Veterans and the Dayton Dragons will host United States Marine Corps veteran Lance Corporal Joe Kleiner during the Dragons Veteran Salute Program presented by CareSource Military & Veterans on Sunday, June 1 at 1:05 pm when the Dragons take on the West Michigan Whitecaps
Dragons Battle into Extra Innings but Fall to West Michigan, 5-4
West Michigan 5, Dragons 4 (10 innings) Click here for the box score West Michigan (R-H-E): 5-8-0; Dayton (R-H-E): 4-7-1 Win: Carlos Lequerica (5-0); Loss: Easton Sikorski (2-2); Save: C.J. Weins (2) HR: Dayton: None HR: West Michigan: None Dayton, Ohio—West Michigan’s Izaac Pacheco drove in the tie-breaking run with
Dragons on Television Friday on Dayton's CW
DAYTON, OHIO—The Dayton Dragons game on Friday, May 30 will be televised live on Dayton’s CW from Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. The Dragons will host the West Michigan Whitecaps (affiliates of the Detroit Tigers). The telecast will begin at 7:00 pm. Friday’s broadcast
Dayton Dragons Police Night Presented by LION Set for June 3
DAYTON, Ohio -- In partnership with LION and the Dayton Police Department, the Dayton Dragons are excited to host Dayton Dragons Police Night presented by LION on Tuesday, June 3, when the Dragons take on the Lansing Lugnuts at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.
Dragons Hit Three Home Runs but Fall to West Michigan, 12-7
West Michigan 12, Dragons 7 Click here for the box score West Michigan (R-H-E): 12-12-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 7-11-0 Win: Marco Jimenez (1-1); Loss: Graham Osman (2-1); Save: None HR: Dayton: Leo Balcazar (4th, 1 on base in first inning); Carlos Jorge (3rd, 2 on base in third inning); John Michael
Dragons to Recognize Academic All-Star Cortney Bonar on May 28
DAYTON, Ohio -- The Dayton Dragons Academic All-Star program presented by Edison State Community College will recognize Cortney Bonar as an Academic All-Star during pre-game festivities on Wednesday, May 28, when the Dragons take on the West Michigan Whitecaps at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street
Myles Smith Sparks Dragons to 9-6 Win, Split of 12-Game Road Trip
Dragons 9, Peoria 6 Click here for the box score Dayton (R-H-E): 9-9-2; Peoria (R-H-E): 6-8-2 Win: Gabriel Aguilera (2-2); Loss: Tyler Bradt (1-3); Save: Joseph Menefee (1) HR: Dayton: None HR: Peoria: None Peoria, Ill.—Myles Smith and Leo Balcazar produced big nights at the plate as the Dayton Dragons
Dayton Dragons Homestand Preview presented by AES Ohio (Games May 27-June 1 at Day Air Ballpark)
The Dayton Dragons open a six-game series at Dayton Air Ballpark vs. the West Michigan Whitecaps on Tuesday, May 27. View the entire Homestand Preview, presented by AES Ohio, here:
Chiefs Top Dragons 6-1; Dayton Needs a Sunday Win to Earn a Road Trip Split
Peoria 6, Dragons 1 Click here for the box score Peoria (R-H-E): 6-8-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 1-8-0 Win: Cade Winquest (1-2); Loss: Adam Serwinowski (0-3); Save: None HR: Dayton: None HR: Peoria: None Peoria, Ill.—Peoria starting pitcher Cade Winquest fired five scoreless innings and the Chiefs built an early four-run lead
Faile's Double Breaks Tie in 10th, Dragons Win 6-5 at Peoria
Dragons 6, Peoria 5 (10 innings) Click here for the box score Dayton (R-H-E): 6-8-0; Peoria (R-H-E): 5-13-1 Win: Jonah Hurney (2-2); Loss: Dionys Rodriguez (1-4); Save: Trey Braithwaite (1) HR: Dayton: None HR: Peoria: Tre Richardson (2nd, 1 on base in fourth inning). Peoria, Ill.—John Michael Faile drilled a
Dragons Hometown Heroes Program to Honor Members of U.S. Air Force Band of Flight on Tuesday Night
DAYTON, Ohio -- The Dayton Dragons will honor the United States Air Force Band of Flight as Hometown Heroes during the Dragons game on Tuesday, May 27 against the West Michigan Whitecaps at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05
Three Dayton Pitchers Combine on 2-Hit Shutout in 1-0 Dragons Win
Dragons 1, Peoria 0 Click here for the box score Dayton (R-H-E): 1-3-0; Peoria (R-H-E): 0-2-1 Win: Irvin Machuca (1-1); Loss: D.J. Carpenter (1-2); Save: Easton Sikorski (5) HR: Dayton: None HR: Peoria: None Peoria, Ill.—Dayton pitchers Luke Hayden, Irvin Machuca, and Easton Sikorski combined on a two-hit shutout as
Chiefs Edge Dragons 3-2 on Wednesday in Peoria
Peoria 3, Dragons 2 Click here for the box score Peoria (R-H-E): 3-7-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 2-6-1 Win: Hunter Hayes (1-2); Loss: Jimmy Romano (1-2); Save: Michael Watson (3) HR: Dayton: Myles Smith (1st, 1 on base in third inning). HR: Peoria: None Peoria, Ill.—The Peoria Chiefs scored two runs in
Chiefs Top Dragons 12-5 on Rainy Tuesday in Peoria
Peoria 12, Dragons 5 Click here for the box score Peoria (R-H-E): 12-12-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 5-6-2 Win: Tyler Bradt (1-2); Loss: Joseph Menefee (0-1); Save: Jawilme Ramirez (1) HR: Dayton: Ariel Almonte (2nd, 1 on base in fifth inning). HR: Peoria: Joshua Baez, 2 (3rd, 1 on base in second
Bandits Score 2 in 8th, Edge Dragons 5-4 to Split Series
Quad Cities 5, Dragons 4 Click here for the box score Quad Cities (R-H-E): 5-7-2; Dayton (R-H-E): 4-9-1 Win: A.J. Causey (4-2); Loss: Trey Braithwaite (0-1); Save: Juan Martinez (2) HR: Dayton: Connor Burns (5th, 0 on base in second inning). HR: Quad Cities: None Davenport, Iowa—The Quad Cities River
Dragons Collect Season-High 13 Hits, Win at Quad Cities 8-6 on Saturday Night
Dragons 8, Quad Cities 6 Click here for the box score Dayton (R-H-E): 8-13-1; Quad Cities (R-H-E): 6-11-2 Win: Dylan Simmons (1-2); Loss: Drew Beam (3-3); Save: Easton Sikorski (4) HR: Dayton: None HR: Quad Cities: Callan Moss (3rd, 1 on base in first inning). Davenport, Iowa—Dayton’s Connor Burns continued
Connor Burns Blasts 2 Home Runs, Dragons Hold on to Win 6-4 at Quad Cities
Dragons 6, Quad Cities 4 Click here for the box score Dayton (R-H-E): 6-11-3; Quad Cities (R-H-E): 4-8-1 Win: Brian Edgington (2-1); Loss: Felix Arronde (1-3); Save: Jonah Hurney (1) HR: Dayton: Connor Burns, 2 (3rd, 0 on base in third inning; 4th, 0 on base in sixth inning). HR:
Dragons Fall in 10 Innings at Quad Cites, 5-4 Despite Big Night from John Michael Faile
Quad Cities 5, Dragons 4 (10 innings) Click here for the box score Quad Cities (R-H-E): 5-7-1; Dayton (R-H-E): 4-6-0 Win: Jesus Rios (3-0); Loss: Irvin Machuca (0-1); Save: None HR: Dayton: John Michael Faile (6th, 0 on base in first inning). HR: Quad Cities: Bryan Gonzalez (2nd, 1 on