While Elly De La Cruz is probably facing too much ground to make up behind Corbin Carroll in the National League Rookie of the Year race, the Reds know that they have an absolute star in the infield.
Since arriving to the big leagues in June, De La Cruz has wowed fans with his world-class speed and injected plenty of excitement around the Reds franchise. But De La Cruz is a true five-tool player, and he has the arm to prove it.
During Thursday’s game between the Reds and Giants, De La Cruz caught Wilmer Flores at 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 record for the hardest-thrown infield assist in the Statcast era (since 2015). It was a record that De La Cruz himself set just three days ago with a 97.9 mph throw from third.
That arm is special, and we shouldn’t be surprised to see De La Cruz top triple digits with his infield throws in the near future. After all, he’s already so close. But let’s give some credit to catcher Luke Maile on the pick there. The throw was a little bit up the first-base line, and Maile was still able to catch it and tag out Flores (who might be the slowest player in baseball).
Fans were justifiably impressed with the throw’s velocity. Challenge that arm at your own risk.
This was how Twitter reacted
fastest-tracked assists by infielders under Statcast (2015):
Today Elly De La Cruz: 99.8 mph
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— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 20, 2023
The Reds are back at Wrigley July 31-August 3 and at this rate I might very well go to all four games just to see Elly de la Cruz. https://t.co/CxVN4bpGKm
— Matt Lindner (@mattlindner) July 20, 2023
This guy is ridiculous. https://t.co/qTu1sGu2G5
— Dennis Silva II (@densilva02) July 20, 2023
My boy Flores was taking a brisk jog to home. https://t.co/wRWWasTWxL
— Saul Nolasco (@Solid_Duff) July 20, 2023
I feel like the velo here deserves a spot on @PitchingNinja https://t.co/ZYeyToCHsU
— Casey White (@cwhite2019) July 20, 2023
This is insane https://t.co/TNumXIR5S1
— Megan Boehnke (@meganboehnke) July 20, 2023
Elly De La Cruz is special. WOW https://t.co/KYJoYFd5K2
— Garrath Robinson | ♠️ (@Garrath_R) July 20, 2023
Flores had no shot LMFAO https://t.co/iwpufpMkC5
— E (@EasyE65) July 20, 2023
Position players pitching is mostly unwatchable, but I'd love to see Elly de la Cruz give it a go. https://t.co/pgj1p3AQGU
— A Boy Named Sue (@greggorox) July 20, 2023
Love to see people debating this play. The kid is a phenom. This is fun. Stop being boring. https://t.co/gDSNAtM5B0
— 🏳️🌈southernish.bsky.social⚾️ (@_southernish_) July 20, 2023
Someone give this man a football https://t.co/NCVT7QiZbv
— not an osu fan lol (@BTarantino84) July 20, 2023
My goodness, that's a cannon https://t.co/Wt7EhkWh4U
— Kendall Baker (@kendallbaker) July 20, 2023
