The “vibes” — as rookie phenom Elly De La Cruz calls them — across the Cincinnati Reds lately could be laborious to explain. But they’re evident when the first-year slugger steps to the plate with lengthy, golden chains hanging round his neck. Or when previous man Joey Votto smashes a house run within the stands of Nationals Park, and is greeted at house by De La Cruz — who’s there to have a good time with an elaborate handshake.
Those vibes could be discovered on the sector, within the clubhouse and within the dugout — the place gamers like Votto placed on a Viking helmet and cape after each Cincinnati dinger.
No group arguably is in a greater temper lately than the Reds, who’ve rocketed up the standings of a weak NL Central with an electrical younger core. Since June 1, Cincinnati holds the third-best file in baseball. They’re one of many hottest groups in MLB, in addition to the flashiest.
“These guys are silly,” Votto stated. “And talented. And are getting better.”
As the Nationals’ four-game stand in opposition to the Reds wraps Thursday, Cincinnati out of the blue serves as an inspiration and street map for Washington’s rebuild. This season, the Reds have emerged as attainable contenders partly due to the rise of prospects like Spencer Steer (4-of-4 in Tuesday’s sport), Matt McLain and De La Cruz — the latter of whom has captured MLB’s consideration along with his blazing pace and highly effective bat since making his Major League debut June 6.
Through 25 video games coming into Wednesday’s motion, the 21-year-old De La Cruz has hit for .308 with three house runs and 13 RBI. His first house run of the season, crushed for 458 toes, went to date that play-by-play man John Sadak shouted, “Oh goodness! That ball had a family!” And then in his fifteenth sport, the 6-foot-5 slugger turned the youngest participant in 51 years to hit for the cycle.
The Reds are 20-6 since De La Cruz’s debut — posting a file behind solely the Atlanta Braves (22-4).
“It’s just a unique experience, especially with the team that we have right now,” De La Cruz stated by an interpreter. “We have very good vibes going on in the clubhouse. … It feels like everyone’s united and everyone’s just trying to help each other out. That’s what kind of puts the team together.”
It wasn’t all the time like this for the Reds. In Votto’s 17-year profession, as an example, the Reds have been underneath .500 coming into July on 10 events. Cincinnati has solely made the playoffs 4 occasions in that span, with solely two postseason wins.
Votto hasn’t performed a number of significant baseball all through his profession, which is why he is likely to be essentially the most thrilled participant on the roster — even when he likes to jokingly disguise his enthusiasm. “I’ve got a dirty little secret: I actually can’t stand baseball, so every day is a nightmare for me,” the 39-year-old deadpanned.
The Reds, too, have proven {that a} rebuild can click on sooner than anticipated. Just final season, Cincinnati completed 62-100. Baseball Prospectus, identified for its preseason predictions, projected the Reds to complete with simply 66 wins in 2023. Instead, the Reds are already 47-39 — a sport up over the Milwaukee Brewers for his or her division.
“You kind of just see them on MLB Network, doing their thing, whether it’s De La Cruz stealing bases and hitting the ball 150 mph, or Matt McLain or Spencer Steer hitting bombs,” Nationals pitcher Josiah Gray stated. “They’re a good ball team and with the right pieces in place that can be us down the road.”
In an alternate timeline, maybe Gray might need been a part of the Reds’ ascension. After all, the 25-year-old was drafted by Cincinnati within the second spherical of the 2018 draft. But the Reds traded him that winter to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who flipped Gray and catcher Keibert Ruiz in 2021 to the Nationals.
But with the Nationals, Gray stated he thinks the success of groups like Baltimore and Cincinnati provides Washington “a positive feeling” as these relied on the event of younger stars. “It definitely gives you confidence,” he stated.
The Reds aren’t missing in confidence. Manager David Bell stated Monday that the chemistry of his ball membership, and the way effectively they’ve managed to play, has been one thing “you dream about.”
He famous the group’s closeness, which could be noticed in how De La Cruz waited for Votto to cross house plate. Votto’s house run in opposition to the Nationals snapped an 0-for-21 rut and De La Cruz was there to dap him up.
“Just a couple of 21-year-olds celebrating, doing all kinds of cool (stuff),” Votto stated. “You’ll see it on TikTok at some point.”
Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com