Elly De La Cruz Just Joined a Group Only 2 Other Reds Have Ever Reached
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He missed a month with a hamstring injury — and STILL joined a club only two Reds have ever reached.
20 HR + 20 SB in 3 straight seasons · announced live by the Reds vs. Washington
On August 8, Elly De La Cruz hit his 20th home run of 2026, becoming just the third player in Cincinnati Reds history to post three consecutive seasons with at least 20 homers and 20 steals. It happened during a Nationals series opener — and the Reds made the announcement in real time on social media.
The 24-year-old switch-hitting shortstop is trending again — this time for a milestone, and not long after the Red Sox reportedly tried to trade for him at the deadline. Here's the full picture of his 2026.
The Milestone He Hit on August 8
With his 20th homer of the season, De La Cruz joined exclusive company in franchise history: three straight seasons of 20+ HR and 20+ SB. The Reds posted it live during the game: "Elly becomes the third player in Reds history with 20+ HR, 20+ SB in 3 straight seasons."
It's even more impressive considering his season arc: he missed roughly a month from late May into June with a right hamstring strain (10-day IL, rehab in Triple-A), yet still entered that Friday night hitting .276 with 104 hits, 65 runs, 20 homers, 53 RBI and 21 stolen bases.
The Twist Nobody Saw Coming
The trade deadline saga. Reports from August 2 said the Boston Red Sox made an offer for De La Cruz — a package "mostly made up of prospects" — and the Reds said no. Cincinnati reportedly wants young, major-league-ready players in return, not prospects. Translation: the price for Elly is enormous, and he's not going anywhere cheap.
Meanwhile, social media was electric: "He really that guy," one fan wrote. "Don't even think about trading him next year!" said another. The milestone only raises the question: what would it take for any team to pry him out of Cincinnati?
What It Means for You
For Reds fans, Elly is the centerpiece of the rebuild — a 6'6", switch-hitting shortstop with a 20/20 floor and 30/60 ceiling. For baseball fans, he's the most electric player in the National League not named Ohtani. For fantasy managers: his return from the IL coincided with a hot stretch, and the trade talk is a reminder that his value could spike again next July.
