After a tough finish in 2025, Elly De La Cruz is primed for a healthy resurgence in 2026.
It is no secret that Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz struggled down the stretch of the 2025 season. By the time Cincinnati reached the MLB postseason for the first time since 2020, the player who remains the face of the franchise had become a non-factor at the plate.
Manager Terry Francona even demoted De La Cruz in the lineup as his production dipped. After the All-Star break, he hit just .236 with a .303 on-base percentage and a .666 OPS, adding four home runs and 23 RBIs across 65 games.
Despite the disappointing finish, there are several compelling reasons to believe De La Cruz could be one of the biggest bounce-back candidates in baseball next season.
First and foremost, De La Cruz was not fully healthy for much of the second half. Though he continued to play, the dynamic shortstop was dealing with a partially torn left quad that clearly affected his swing and overall consistency. His trademark explosiveness was muted, and his timing at the plate never quite returned. Rather than shutting it down, De La Cruz chose to remain on the field to help push the Reds into the postseason. That decision may have hurt his stat line, but it also speaks to his toughness and commitment to the team.
Another reason for optimism is his relentless offseason approach. De La Cruz has reportedly refused to slow down since the season ended, maintaining an intense training regimen focused on strength, flexibility and refining his swing mechanics. His work ethic has long been praised inside the organization, and this winter has been no exception.
Finally, De La Cruz’s track record suggests his late-season struggles were more of an outlier than a trend. He is a two-time All-Star for a reason. Before the injury issues surfaced, De La Cruz was one of the most productive players in the National League during the first half of the season.
Across 97 games before the All-Star break, he posted a .284 batting average, a .359 on-base percentage and an .854 OPS, while launching 18 home runs and driving in 63 runs. Those numbers reflect the elite, game-changing talent that made him a franchise star.
When healthy and confident, few players in baseball possess De La Cruz’s combination of power, speed and defensive impact. With a clean bill of health and another offseason of growth, a return to form in 2026 may be less of a question and more of an expectation.