"Elly De La Cruz has led the league in errors the past two seasons, but the Reds intend to keep him at shortstop, at least for the time being. President of baseball operations Nick Krall spoke to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com for a piece about Cincinnati's top prospects. With shortstop prospect Edwin Arroyo knocking on the door of the majors, Krall was asked if there were plans to move De La Cruz off the position. " As of right now, no," Krall told Sheldon."
"After posting 29 errors in 2024, De La Cruz racked up another 26 this past season. He's been at least three errors clear of the next-closest defender in each of the past two seasons. Durability is somewhat at play here. De La Cruz has been remarkably healthy in his first two full seasons in the big leagues, appearing in at least 160 games both times. More games equal more fielding opportunities, though De La Cruz has also struggled on a per-chance basis. He finished with the third-worst fielding percentage among qualified players in 2025."
"De La Cruz has tantalizing tools at the position. He averaged 92.2 mph on throws in 2025, which ranked in the 93rd percentile. De La Cruz posted standout marks in terms of range last season, with StatCast having him at 14 Outs Above Average. That mark plummeted to -3 this past year, though."
Elly De La Cruz led MLB in errors the past two seasons but remains Cincinnati's shortstop for now. He committed 29 errors in 2024 and 26 in 2025, finishing at least three errors clear of the next-closest defender both years. De La Cruz has appeared in at least 160 games in each of his first two full seasons, increasing fielding opportunities while producing one of the league's worst fielding percentages among qualified players in 2025. He showed elite tools, averaging 92.2 mph on throws (93rd percentile) and recording 14 Outs Above Average one season before falling to -3. Center field has been suggested as a future option, and Cincinnati has in-house alternatives like Matt McLain and Noelvi Marte.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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