Whereas Elly De La Cruz might be going through an excessive amount of floor to make up behind Corbin Carroll within the Nationwide League Rookie of the Yr race, the Reds know that they’ve an absolute star within the infield.
Since arriving to the massive leagues in June, De La Cruz has wowed followers along with his world-class velocity and injected loads of pleasure across the Reds franchise. However De La Cruz is a real five-tool participant, and he has the arm to show it.
Throughout Thursday’s sport between the Reds and Giants, De La Cruz caught Wilmer Flores on the plate with a relay throw that was clocked at a ridiculous 99.8 mph.
ELLY THREW THIS BALL 99.8 MPH 🤯 pic.twitter.com/iAElcf3qZR
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 20, 2023
The throw broke the document for the hardest-thrown infield help within the Statcast period (since 2015). It was a document that De La Cruz himself set simply three days in the past with a 97.9 mph throw from third.
That arm is particular, and we shouldn’t be stunned to see De La Cruz high triple digits along with his infield throws within the close to future. In spite of everything, he’s already so shut. However let’s give some credit score to catcher Luke Maile on the choose there. The throw was a bit of bit up the first-base line, and Maile was nonetheless capable of catch it and tag out Flores (who may be the slowest participant in baseball).
Followers have been justifiably impressed with the throw’s velocity. Problem that arm at your individual danger. fastest-tracked assists by infielders beneath Statcast (2015):
Right this moment Elly De La Cruz: 99.8 mph — Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 20, 2023
The Reds are again at Wrigley July 31-August 3 and at this charge I would very properly go to all 4 video games simply to see Elly de la Cruz. https://t.co/CxVN4bpGKm
— Matt Lindner (@mattlindner) July 20, 2023
This man is ridiculous. https://t.co/qTu1sGu2G5
— Dennis Silva II (@densilva02) July 20, 2023
7/16/23 Elly De La Cruz: 97.9 mph
7/14/22 Oneil Cruz: 97.8 mph
9/20/20 Fernando Tatis Jr.: 97.3 mph
9/18/21 Fernando Tatis Jr.: 96.8 mph
6/20/22 Oneil Cruz: 96.7 mph https://t.co/LaGTcVDn3s