(Photo Credit: Aaron Doster, AP)
Despite the Cincinnati Reds' 12-game winning streak being snapped on Saturday, rookie shortstop Elly De La Cruz continued to make a significant impact. In the game, De La Cruz went 1-3 with a walk and his 8th stolen base of the season, reaffirming his status as one of the most exciting prospects in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Since his MLB debut earlier this month, De La Cruz's odds for the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year title have seen a fascinating journey. His initial odds of 18/1 to win the title plummeted to a payout as low as +350 at some sportsbooks, indicating a strong wave of confidence from sports bettors in the wake of his impressive debut performances.
After a few weeks in the big leagues, some of the initial excitement began to level off, and his odds drifted back to around +700. However, the dynamic shifted again when De La Cruz made history by becoming the youngest player in over 50 years to hit for the cycle. This stunning performance, leading the Reds to a dramatic 11-10 comeback victory, rejuvenated interest in the 21-year-old shortstop, driving his odds back down to +500.
More than his historical cycle, the first for any Reds player in 34 years, by tallying four hits in the game De La Cruz also became the first MLB player since 1903 to amass 20 hits, five stolen bases, and three home runs in his first 15 career games in the majors.
De La Cruz's dynamism has been a major driving force in the Reds' resurgent season, fueling the "Elly-Mania" that's taken hold of fans. His game-breaking cycle performance, alongside his daily exploits on the field, has sparked a wildfire on social media platforms. Fans and experts alike have been drawing comparisons between De La Cruz and some of the most revered names in the game, labeling him as a talent that emerges only once in a hundred years.
A tweet from Jared Carrabis, a well-known baseball analyst, perfectly encapsulates De La Cruz's impact:
"Elly De La Cruz has already hit the second hardest ball in Reds history since we’ve had Statcast data (double), hit a two-run homer, singled in a run, stole a base (he’s 7-for-7), hit an RBI triple for the cycle, and made a sick catch in foul territory. It’s the 6th inning."
This tweet not only attests to De La Cruz's impressive skills on the field but also captures the palpable excitement he brings to each game. This kind of reaction and anticipation further amplifies the anticipation surrounding his progress in the ongoing MLB season.
Yet, despite his exceptional performance and rapidly improving odds, the market still does not favor De La Cruz over Arizona Diamondbacks' outfielder Corbin Carroll, who has enjoyed an impressive season of his own. It's worth noting that Carroll, who currently leads the NL Rookie of the Year odds with a payout of -450, has played 58 more games than De La Cruz.
Statistically, both players present compelling cases. Over his 16 games, De La Cruz boasts an impressive 1.074 OPS and 8 stolen bases, compared to Carroll's .960 OPS and 23 stolen bases over 74 games. If De La Cruz's performance were to be prorated over a 162 game season, his WAR (Wins Above Replacement) would be 9.1, which would have ranked him third in the league last year, trailing only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani.
Looking ahead, the race for the NL Rookie of the Year title is shaping up to be a captivating contest between these two extraordinary talents. As the 2023 MLB season progresses, both De La Cruz and Carroll will be looking to sustain their high level of performance in the pursuit of this prestigious award.
Regardless of whether De La Cruz clinches the title or not, he is undeniably a player to watch in this MLB season. His meteoric rise suggests that this MLB season will be full of surprises.
Stay tuned to Pregame.com for further updates on Rookie of the Year odds and all your MLB betting needs. As ever, the unpredictable nature of baseball promises to deliver an exciting ride.
NL Rookie of the Year Odds
1. ARI OF, Corbin Carroll -450
2. CIN SS, Elly De La Cruz +500
3. NYM C, Francisco Alvarez 50/1
4. CIN SP, Andrew Abbot 50/1
(Consensus odds as of June 24th, 2023)
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Related: Elly De La Cruz's Electric Debut Sparks Surge in Rookie of the Year Betting Odds, Jacob deGrom Needs Surgery Due to Torn UCL -- Why the Vegas Betting Market Still Likes the Rangers' Chances
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