GOODYEAR, Arizona − Elly De La Cruz is off and running in 2025. Actually, it's more like he's off and trotting. He hasn't been on base long enough to do any real running (yet). In the Cincinnati Reds' Cactus League opener against the Cleveland Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark,

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz hits a homer in the first inning of a Cactus League game between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at the Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz. / Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Reds manager Terry Francona says he wants Elly De La Cruz to be "the best player in baseball on the best team in baseball."

Elly De La Cruz is picking up where he left off. The Reds star shortstop homered twice in his spring debut -- one from each side of the plate -- on Saturday.

De La Cruz is hoping to build off a promising All-Star campaign in 2024. In 160 games last season, the shortstop led the big leagues in strikeouts (218) but also batted .259/.339/.471 with 25 homers and 67 stolen bases. He became the first player in MLB history to notch at least 100 stolen bases and 30 homers over his first two seasons.

Cincinnati Reds' shortstop Elly De La Cruz aims to reduce his league-high strikeouts in the 2025 season. After a stellar 2024 performance of 25 home r