Elly De la Cruz is a rising star in the sport of Major League Baseball. Appearing with the Cincinnati Reds in June 2023, Dominican-born shortstop has had an All-Star season as well as drawn the broader praise with his elusive combination of power, speed, and arm strength. While fans celebrate his record-breaking performances and dazzling athleticism, one question keeps emerging in searches and conversations: Elly De La Cruz height.
Elly De La Cruz is not only known for the blazing speed and mammoth home runs he makes, but is also known for his massive size. His physical impression contributes to his mysticism on the field. In this article, we’ll explore Elly De La Cruz height, his background, early career, and why that measurement matters just as much as any stat line.
Biography
Elly De La Cruz is a next-generation star of the Cincinnati Reds with elite power, speed, and defensive arm strength. The Dominican-born switch-hitter, 6 ft 5 in tall and weighing 200 lb (90 kg), became an instant sensation when he started playing in June 2023. He is credited with having the most stolen bases in the league (67 in 2024), dazzling, double-play throws, and being the first shortstop in MLB to record 20 home runs and 60 stolen bases in a season, and is a person who is highly interactive with his fans and runs a verified Instagram and X/Twitter account. Here is the biography table below:
| Attribute | Detail |
| Full Name | Elly Antonio De La Cruz |
| Date of Birth | January 11, 2002 (age 23 in 2025) |
| Birthplace / Nationality | Sabana Grande de Boya, Dominican Republic; Dominican |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 200 lbs (≈90 kg) |
| Bats / Throws | Bats both / Throws right |
| MLB Debut | June 6, 2023, with the Cincinnati Reds |
| Position(s) | Shortstop / Third Base |
| Notable Milestones | First Reds player since 1919 to steal 2B, 3B & HR in same inning; Statcast record 97.9 mph infield assist; hit for cycle as youngest since 1972 |
| 2024 Season Stats | .259 AVG, 25 HR, 67 SB (led MLB), 76 RBI, .809 OPS in 160 games; All-Star selection |
| 2025 Season-to-Date | 18 HR, 27 SB, .276 AVG, 65 RBI, .835 OPS in 391 ABs (through early July) |
| Career Totals (as of mid‑2025) | 56 HR, 129 SB, 185 RBI, .257 AVG, .447 SLG, OPS ~.790 across 1,397 at‑bats |
| Accolades & Recognition | Led MLB in stolen bases (2024); featured on cover of MLB The Show 25 as Reds’ first cover athlete; praised for unprecedented tools by teammates like Joey Votto. |
| Personal & Emotional Moments | Honored his sister Genelis after her death in June 2025 by hitting a home run and paying tribute on-field (‘RIP Manita’) |
| Social Media | Instagram: @la_cocoa_____18
X/Twitter: @ellylacocoa18 |
Elly De La Cruz Height and Physical Profile
According to official MLB and team data, Elly De La Cruz height is listed as 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm), with a weight of approximately 200 lbs—making him one of the tallest shortstops in Major League Baseball history. His stature is unusual compared to that of his position, as conventional shortstops are typically smaller and quicker on their feet. Although being tall, Elly is an extremely agile person, and his frame complements his elite speed and powerful arms, which tend to exceed any common or standard assumptions.
This proportion, Elly De La Cruz height, coupled with his athleticism, gives him an advantage both offensively and defensively. His range and leverage enable him to make strong contact and stretch at the basepaths and the plate. And in the field, he does much of the work with astonishing delicacy, because of his size, accompanied by a marvellous vivacity of movement.
Early Life and Journey to MLB
Elly Antonio De La Cruz was born on January 11, 2002, in Sabana Grande de Boya, Dominican Republic, and signed with the Cincinnati Reds organization as a humble international free agent in 2018 for $6,500. His actual physical development proved to be accompanied by an accelerated route in the minor leagues. Scouts quickly noticed his blend of explosive sprinting, arm strength, and raw power—a rare profile for a player of his position and Elly De La Cruz height.
At the age of 21 years (June 6, 2023), Elly made his debut in the MLB. He provided play of the day material early in his rookie season: the following day, he cranked his first home run in the Major League, a 458-foot homer with an exit velocity in the top 10 the Reds had batted since 2019. Teammates and analysts marveled not only at his power and speed but at how seamlessly he used his Elly De La Cruz height to dominate opponents.
2024–2025 Breakthrough Seasons
Elly De La Cruz bounced back into the bona fide star realm in the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He made 25 home runs and 67 stolen bases in 2024, the first primary shortstop in MLB history to do so in one season. That feat alone reflected how Elly De La Cruz height translated into both power and range in the infield.
Towards the end of that year, he was named an All-Star again and finished first in stolen bases in the National League; he had begun to display his power-speed combination, hitting 18 home runs and stealing 28 bases in the middle of the season. His performances drew comparisons to elite athletes and legends like Fernando Tatis Jr., due in part to his rare combination of size and athleticism, an unmistakable result of Elly De La Cruz height.
The Impact of Height on His Game
At 6’5, Elly De La Cruz is not what one would expect an infielder to be. Elly De La Cruz height adds a strategic edge: longer strides on the basepaths, greater extension at the plate, and the ability to make plays other shortstops can’t reach. He even set the Statcast record of the fastest infield assist with a 98 mph-like throw, only achievable due to the strength of his arm and his size.
Moreover, his size scares defenders when he is against short defenders or pitchers. Yet, he retains the agility to turn double plays and chase down grounders—showing that Elly De La Cruz height is more than cosmetic; it’s foundational to his success in both offense and defense.
Conclusion
The story of Elly De La Cruz is the story of talent enhanced by a fantastic body. Elly De La Cruz height, an unexpected attribute for his position, has not only helped him dominate on the field but also made him one of baseball’s most compelling characters. His power, speed, and stature indicate that his height will not be reduced soon, as his career is on a rocket. Coaches, reporters, and fans will continue to pay attention to how he utilizes every bit of his 6 ft 5 in frame to redefine the future expectations of future players.
FAQs
What is Elly De La Cruz height?
Elly De La Cruz height is officially listed as 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm) in multiple MLB and team sources.
Is Elly De La Cruz unusually tall for his position?
Yes. At 6′ 5″, Elly De La Cruz height places him among the tallest shortstops in MLB history a position typically reserved for smaller, more agile players.
How does Elly De La Cruz’s height help him on the field?
Elly De La Cruz height gives him longer reach and stride, aiding both in covering the field defensively and creating leverage for powerful swings at bat, while still maintaining elite speed.
Does his height slow him down?
Quite the opposite. Despite his size, Elly is one of the fastest players in baseball, often stealing bases with ease. His height doesn’t detract from his quickness or athleticism.
How does his height compare to that of his twin brother?
Elly’s twin brother, Pedro, stands at about 5′ 8″, illustrating just how remarkable Elly De La Cruz height is even among his own family.
Has Elly’s height affected his position or role?
While there has been speculation about potential position changes due to Elly De La Cruz height, he continues to excel at shortstop thanks to his range, arm strength, and versatility.
