Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz turns sliding into acrobatics.
When he slides, he combines all of his physical tools. De La Cruz’s record-setting speed, his 6-foot-5 frame and his incredible reach give him the ability to float in mid-air when he dives into one of the bases or home plate.
De La Cruz has worked tirelessly at his swing and on his defense, but sliding is natural for him. He said that he has never practiced sliding or even thought much about his strategy.
Reds manager David Bell said that he sees sliding as “pure instinct,” and De La Cruz’s instincts make his sliding maybe the most impressive part of his game.