Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz had a career-defining night against the Texas Rangers on Monday, unleashing an offensive explosion with a new weapon—MLB’s increasingly popular torpedo bat.
De La Cruz smashed two massive home runs, driving in seven runs in a commanding 14-3 victory. His historic performance showcased his raw power and versatility, solidifying his status as one of the most electrifying young players in baseball.
De La Cruz Shines with Power, Speed, and the Game-Changing Torpedo Bat
Both of De La Cruz’s homers were sent deep to center field, with one landing on the turf berm and the other striking the base of the batter’s eye. The combined distance of his two blasts reached an astounding 854 feet. Beyond the home runs, he delivered a well-rounded performance, recording a single and a double, scoring four runs, and even swiping a base. The display of power and speed left fans and analysts in awe of his talent.
Elly De La Cruz (MLB)However, the most intriguing aspect of De La Cruz’s performance was his use of the torpedo bat, a cutting-edge design that has been making waves in Major League Baseball. Monday marked his first official game using this bat, and the results were undeniable. Speaking about his experience, De La Cruz stated that he was eager to test how the bat felt in a real game and confirmed that it met his expectations.
Torpedo Bat’s Rising Influence Could Reshape the Reds’ Power-Hitting Approach
The torpedo bat first gained mainstream attention when New York Yankees players used it to belt a record-tying 15 home runs in their first three games of the season.
Reds hitting coach Chris Valaika introduced the bat to the team during spring training, and De La Cruz’s teammate, former Yankees catcher Jose Trevino, has been using it for over a year. Despite this, De La Cruz had not experimented with the bat in a live game until his breakout performance on Monday night.
Following De La Cruz’s electrifying display, several Reds players have expressed interest in giving the torpedo bat a try. With the bat’s impact already evident in Cincinnati, it could become a game-changer for the Reds’ lineup as they continue their pursuit of postseason success. If De La Cruz’s performance is any indication, the Hunt for (Cincinnati) Red October just gained a powerful new weapon.
