Elly to the outfield, please ?

[*bengalfan74*]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/these-ugly-elly-de-la-cruz-stats-could-finally-force-the-reds-hand/ar-AA1HD30u?ocid=BingNewsSerp

" De La Cruz's -7 mark means he has failed to convert seven plays that an average shortstop would have made. That could stem from poor reads, bad angles, or over-aggressiveness — all symptoms of someone still learning how to harness his athleticism into consistent, polished defense. "

"It starts with his athletic profile, which might actually play better on the grass. De La Cruz has top-end sprint speed, incredible closing ability, and one of the strongest arms in the game. In the outfield — particularly in right or center — that profile could translate into elite defensive value. He’d have more space to operate, and fewer of the fast-twitch reads and footwork that have exposed him in the infield."

Why are the Reds, whoever "they" are? So entrenched in keeping Elly at SS. Being in the outfield may even help him be better at the plate.

[*ochocincos*]

(06-30-2025, 11:47 AM)bengalfan74 Wrote: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/these-ugly-elly-de-la-cruz-stats-could-finally-force-the-reds-hand/ar-AA1HD30u?ocid=BingNewsSerp

" De La Cruz's -7 mark means he has failed to convert seven plays that an average shortstop would have made. That could stem from poor reads, bad angles, or over-aggressiveness — all symptoms of someone still learning how to harness his athleticism into consistent, polished defense. "

"It starts with his athletic profile, which might actually play better on the grass. De La Cruz has top-end sprint speed, incredible closing ability, and one of the strongest arms in the game. In the outfield — particularly in right or center — that profile could translate into elite defensive value. He’d have more space to operate, and fewer of the fast-twitch reads and footwork that have exposed him in the infield."

Why are the Reds, whoever "they" are? So entrenched in keeping Elly at SS. Being in the outfield may even help him be better at the plate.

If EDLC were moved, what would be the corresponding moves?
Obviously McLain would go back to SS, but who would cover 2B? Lux? Espinal?
And I would assume Friedl would stay at CF and thus put EDLC in RF?

I am not sure how experienced EDLC is in the OF to be able to track down balls though, plus running full stride to make catches and possibly having a collision with another player or the wall at faster/full speed may be too risky compared to him playing IF or especially serving as the primary DH.
Maybe some experimentation can be had in the offseason, but it's too late to be trying new positions for your star player right now other than a move to DH.

[*bengalfan74*]

(06-30-2025, 02:48 PM)ochocincos Wrote: If EDLC were moved, what would be the corresponding moves?
Obviously McLain would go back to SS, but who would cover 2B? Lux? Espinal?
And I would assume Friedl would stay at CF and thus put EDLC in RF?

I am not sure how experienced EDLC is in the OF to be able to track down balls though, plus running full stride to make catches and possibly having a collision with another player or the wall at faster/full speed may be too risky compared to him playing IF or especially serving as the primary DH.
Maybe some experimentation can be had in the offseason, but it's too late to be trying new positions for your star player right now other than a move to DH.

I agree, some. I'm not saying they should just say hey Elly, tonight you're starting in RF and you'll be there the rest of the season. They should ease him into it, some.

It's just that everything about him screams RF or even CF. And he's not by any stretch a great SS. Put McClain back at SS.

[*ochocincos*]

(06-30-2025, 03:01 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: I agree, some. I'm not saying they should just say hey Elly, tonight you're starting in RF and you'll be there the rest of the season. They should ease him into it, some.

It's just that everything about him screams RF or even CF. And he's not by any stretch a great SS. Put McClain back at SS.

How much "practice" would he be able to get in RF though this year?
From my understanding, there's really just BP and that's it day to day, except for maybe the occasional off days?
They could try shifting him to RF late in games if the Reds are like 5+ runs up in the 8th or something, but I can't imagine there would be much more opportunity outside of games to practice learning OF.
Am I wrong? I've only ever played rec softball as an adult before, not organized baseball growing up, so I legit don't know.

[Forever Spinning Vinyl]

My only concern about RF vs CF is that in RF, he'll have two walls to worry about running into vs only one in CF. Other than that, I think that he'd excel at both spots.

He's probably only still at SS because he's a budding star and they know that the only way that they can re-sign him is if he WANTS to be here. Move him when he doesn't want to and you can kiss the talks for his future contract extension goodbye

[*bfine32*]

I'd assume it has something to do with $ value. Maybe Cruz doesn't want to go to the outfield.

[CJD]

Yea, his fielding has been rough this season. A major downgrade from his fielding last season.

[*bengalfan74*]

(06-30-2025, 03:07 PM)ochocincos Wrote: How much "practice" would he be able to get in RF though this year?
From my understanding, there's really just BP and that's it day to day, except for maybe the occasional off days?
They could try shifting him to RF late in games if the Reds are like 5+ runs up in the 8th or something, but I can't imagine there would be much more opportunity outside of games to practice learning OF.
Am I wrong? I've only ever played rec softball as an adult before, not organized baseball growing up, so I legit don't know.

It's not like it's some giant leap. Mainly he'd have to learn where the walls are and how to play it somewhat safe there. Like vinyl says perhaps he'd be better starting off with some center field ? And like you say later in games?

It just seems like a no-brainer to put him out there, to me.

[*bengalfan74*]

(06-30-2025, 07:07 PM)CJD Wrote: Yea, his fielding has been rough this season. A major downgrade from his fielding last season.

And he wasn't great last season to put it mildly.

[basballguy]

I remember when the Yankees told Knoblauch enough was enough and moved him to DH/OF. I wouldn't be upset if the Reds did the same.

However, is this one of those things where the nerds say the value on offense is worth the liability on defense? I guess kind of how it's OK to put up Adam Dunn strikeout numbers now as long as you're hitting enough HRs?

[The D.O.Z.]

I’m anxious to see Arroyo’s defense at SS. It was MLB ready LAST season before he got hurt in ST. If EDLC is the plan, now and future, then Arroyo needs to be traded in a package that brings us a good corner OF with some control.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(06-30-2025, 07:07 PM)CJD Wrote: Yea, his fielding has been rough this season. A major downgrade from his fielding last season.

Funny thing is he had an MLB-leading 29 errors and a negative DRS last year too.

It was just that OAA (a stat that was only in it's 4th year of existence for infielders) said he was really good, so everyone ignored all the other numbers and just ran with that.


- - - - - -

I think if EDLC goes to the OF (or 3B) then McLain goes to SS because he doesn't seem particularly good at 2B, but he performed well at SS.

Worrying about making space for Edwin Arroyo seems like something we don't need to do since he's not even hitting well enough in AA. He has hit 1 HR in the last 669 days. (And also averaging about 30 errors per 1400 innings at SS.) If he turns into a starting caliber major leaguer, I will be shocked.