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Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz spent the offseason putting in the work to improve his English and debuted his new skills in an impressive all-English press conference prior to the Reds season-opener at home against the Washington Nationals on Thursday, March 28.
De La Cruz, who broke into the majors last year at just 21 years old, is one of the most electrifying prospects in baseball as he raked in 13 home runs, 44 RBIs, and had 35 stolen bases. De La Cruz was also clocked as being the joint-fastest player in MLB in 2023 alongside Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals.
Speaking to the media ahead of the start of the 2024 season, De La Cruz displayed the brains that he pairs with his immense talent as he did the entire press conference in English for the first time in his career.
“It’s so important to me because now you guys understand what I say, and it’s important to the fans to understand me, and me understand the fans,” De La Cruz said.
“I practice every day, talking with the other guys,” he said about his Cincy teammates. “I just started with them, and I let it go. I like talking with the American guys because I create confidence.”
“I don’t need Jorge [his interpreter] anymore,” he joked, before saying “He helped me a lot.”
For the first time, #Reds SS Elly De La Cruz did his entire press conference in English today.
"It's important for the fans to understand me, and me understand the fans. I've put a lot of work on my English to talk with you guys.”
Elly joked that he doesn't need a translator… pic.twitter.com/3lHQyXTaQU
— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) March 27, 2024
De La Cruz and the Reds are facing an uphill battle to qualify for the playoffs this season as the bookies currently project them to finish third in their division, the National League Central, behind the St. Louis Cardinals (the favorites) and the Chicago Cubs.
In the Reds 2024 season opener — pitcher Frankie Montas will be on the mound — De La Cruz will be batting sixth for Cincinnati.