Elly De La Cruz Caps 30-30 Season as Reds Fall in Toronto
The short version
- De La Cruz reached 30 home runs and 30 steals, the fourth 30-30 season in Reds history
- He joins Eric Davis, Barry Larkin and Brandon Phillips as the only Reds to do it; 52nd in MLB history
- Reds lost 6-5 to the Blue Jays in the series opener in Toronto
- De La Cruz is first-time arbitration eligible this offseason and under club control through 2029
The Reds shortstop became just the fourth player in franchise history with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a season, reaching the mark Friday against the Blue Jays.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz completed a 30-30 season Friday night in Toronto, stealing third base in the third inning for his 30th stolen base of the year. The milestone came one night after he hit his 30th home run of the season, a shot to right field in Atlanta.
The 30-30 feat is a franchise rarity. De La Cruz joins Eric Davis (1987), Barry Larkin (1996) and Brandon Phillips (2007) as the only Reds players to reach it, and he is the 52nd player in major-league history to do so.
Playing as the designated hitter against the Blue Jays, De La Cruz went 1-for-4 with a walk and two RBIs. He doubled home two runs, then stole third on the next pitch, and the throw was not close. The Reds lost the game 6-5 after blowing a late lead in the opener of the final weekend series of the 2026 season.
The performance caps the best season of De La Cruz's career and comes in his third full year in the majors. He broke in during 2023, hitting for the cycle in his 15th career game and stealing third and home on a single pitch in his 29th. He homered 458 feet in just his second big-league game.
Team results have not matched his individual rise. The Reds have one winning season and an 0-2 playoff appearance to show for De La Cruz's three full seasons, with a .493 winning percentage across 586 games since his debut.
The offseason ahead is significant for both player and club. De La Cruz is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, a process that could produce a franchise-record salary for a first-time-eligible Red approaching eight figures. He previously turned down an extension offer, reported to be in the $240 million range, more than a year ago.
De La Cruz is under club control through the 2029 season before reaching free agency. The two-time All-Star, who has been among baseball's best hitters over the past five weeks, could be in line for a top-five finish in National League MVP voting.
The Reds continue their closing series against the Blue Jays on Saturday, September 26 at 3:07 PM EDT at Rogers Centre. The game airs on MLB.TV, Reds.TV, Sportsnet and TVA.
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