Is Elly de la Cruz a bust?

[mrreality68]

I think it is way to small of a sample size to claim him a bust or a unicorn or anything.
Some PLayers start out of the gate fast and fizzle out and some greats keep it going.
Some Start slow and stay slow and others pick it up.

His skills sets IMO make it look like is down side is being a steady mlb player. I do not think he will be a bust. and is upside is huge.

We will wait and see and hopefully we as fans will enjoy the ride

[packs]

How could he ever be a bust? He was totally unknown until he had a huge year last year. The Reds haven’t spent any money on him and he hit his way into the line up at 21 years old.

[cgjackson222]

Originally Posted by packs

How could he ever be a bust? He was totally unknown until he had a huge year last year. The Reds haven’t spent any money on him and he hit his way into the line up at 21 years old.

This is a great point. De La Cruz' signing bonus was only $65K. Lot's of guys get over a Million.

So it seems like just him getting to the major leagues at 21 is already a pretty good accomplishment compared to the money they've paid him/expectations.

"Not until after the lost pandemic season of 2020 did the Reds realize they'd hit the jackpot. Between the growth spurt and a newfound appreciation for weightlifting, De La Cruz morphed from the 17-year-old who hit one home run in 186 Dominican Summer League plate appearances to the rarest sort of player: someone with three scale-breaking tools."

[D. Bergin]

I think the question might be better phrased as “Is Elly De La Cruz a bust if you put a ton of money into his cards based on his Sportscenter highlights during the first month or so of his career?”




As everyone else has mentioned so far, it’s way to early to say if he’s anything at this point, but the strikeouts are damn alarming, if you bought into him at the height of the hype.

I think he’s certainly more promising than O’Neil Cruz, in case anybody is asking.

It’s also good to remind yourself that somebody like Aaron Judge was still playing college and low A ball at the same age…..and wasn’t even dominating at those levels yet.

[packs]

For 65K the Reds have one of the most exciting young players in the league and someone who might take the torch from Votto for the fan base. Doesn’t smell like a bust.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by packs

For 65K the Reds have one of the most exciting young players in the league and someone who might take the torch from Votto for the fan base. Doesn’t smell like a bust.

Did not realize the money and at those prices it is a win and an easy to give him the opportunity

[Mike D.]

Every thread needs a card.



I got this one graded this summer.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

I think the question might be better phrased as “Is Elly De La Cruz a bust if you put a ton of money into his cards based on his Sportscenter highlights during the first month or so of his career?”




As everyone else has mentioned so far, it’s way to early to say if he’s anything at this point, but the strikeouts are damn alarming, if you bought into him at the height of the hype.

I think he’s certainly more promising than O’Neil Cruz, in case anybody is asking.

It’s also good to remind yourself that somebody like Aaron Judge was still playing college and low A ball at the same age…..and wasn’t even dominating at those levels yet.

Very thoughtful responses. I watched him play on TV and I thought that he has some amazing highlight reel moments. Reminds me of the feeling I had watching Tim Tebow with the Broncos. Fun to watch, but probably needs a lot of refinement on the fundamentals to be an infielder and a top-of-the-order hitter.

But you're right in that my questioning whether he is a bust was after I started checking out how his paper is trading on eBay.

Just yesterday, his "2022 Bowman Sterling ELLY DE LA CRUZ Auto Blue /25 PSA 10" sold for $4,760. You can buy a decent looking 1954 Hank Aaron for that price.

This is one of those cases where the price of his cards relative to his performance has led me to the perhaps unfair assertion that he might be a bust.

[Seven]

I wouldn't say he's a bust. He has very raw skills, and could be something special if he grows into them. He's shown flashes, of his potential at times.

He obviously has a lot to work on, but this is the time to work on it, at 21.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I predict he either will or will not be a great player.