Ever since the Reds called up top prospect Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati has been one of the hottest teams in the major leagues. The Reds won 12 consecutive games from June 10-23, and De La Cruz has recorded a gaudy 1.063 OPS in his first 16 games.
Longtime Reds star Joey Votto made his season debut during that winning streak, and the first baseman got to see De La Cruz play in person for the first time. The veteran went so far as to make a remarkable comparison for the switch-hitting infielder.
“This is extreme, but has there been a better switch-hitting, speed-power guy?” Votto said. “The only comp I can think of is Mickey Mantle. A young Mickey Mantle.”
Joey Votto thinks this is the most enjoyable version of baseball he's ever seen. Ever.
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) June 24, 2023
He says the Reds are the kind of team he would watch if he were sitting in the stands as a fan.
He tries to compare Elly De La Cruz to another player, then concludes there is no comparison. pic.twitter.com/f68oG5GeBq
Votto acknowledged that using Mantle as a comparison is “unfair” to De La Cruz, but he doesn’t think there is anyone else in baseball like the rookie phenom.
It’s not just De La Cruz. Votto believes the entire Reds team is playing an exciting, successful brand of baseball.
“The television doesn’t do it justice,” Votto said. “Watching these guys live is bigger, faster, dirtier. The game is fast, but these guys are faster. This is the most enjoyable version of baseball I think I’ve ever seen.”
At 41-36, the Reds are in first place in a relatively weak NL Central and have a chance to win the division for the first time since 2012, which would mark just the third time since Votto got called up in 2008.
