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Elly De La Cruz, Michael Harris II highlight delicate relationship between excitement and patience

Related Topics: Michael Harris II, Nelson Cruz

When they let the kids play, the kids are often great. But there's a spectrum.

Sometimes they're great immediately. Sometimes it takes a while. Sometimes they're great for a while before becoming not so great for a time. Such is the mysterious existence of an MLB phenom.

We can look to Reds rookie sensation Elly De La Cruz and Braves reigning NL Rookie of the Year Michael Harris II for a case study of such scenarios. And they each highlight the delicate relationship between excitement and patience when evaluating elite young talent.

MORE: Stats, highlights and more to know from Elly De La Cruz's debut

Cruz has been a burst of excitement for the Reds, looking like a superstar in his first two games as a big leaguer: a .