Elly De La Cruz showcased his stunningly strong arm during Sunday’s game against the Diamondbacks, miraculously throwing out star outfielder Corbin Carroll to deny him what would have been an inside-the-park home run.
After Carroll blasted a hit to the wall in center field, the ball was misplayed by Reds’ T.J. Friedl. Arizona’s third base coach Tony Perezchica waved Carroll home, but the 23-year-old was gunned down by the relay throw from De La Cruz, which registered at nearly 100 mph, clocking in officially at 99.7 mph.
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A practically perfect throw was required in order to get Carroll out at home plate, and that's precisely what De La Cruz cooked up.
Corbin Carroll vs Elly De La Cruz.
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 27, 2023
De La Cruz: 99.7mph missile to get him. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/5xlBGnOxq2
De La Cruz’s throw, which came from the shallow outfield grass, pulled catcher Tyler Stephenson a few steps up the third base line. All that was left for Stephenson to do was to hold onto the ball while applying the tag on a sliding Carroll.
The combination of precision and velocity was truly spectacular, in addition to the fact that he kept a run off the board in a crucial game for the Reds.
