Sat Aug 02 22:50:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

In 2023, rookie Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz sought advice from MLB stars like Shohei Ohtani. By 2024, as an All-Star, the tables had turned. Now, fellow players ask De La Cruz for advice on base stealing, daily preparation, and power hitting. De La Cruz welcomes these conversations and enjoys connecting with players from all backgrounds on the field.

**News Article:**

**From Student to Star: Elly De La Cruz Now the One Giving Advice on the Diamond**

CINCINNATI, OH – Just a year ago, Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz was the one seeking wisdom from baseball’s elite. In 2023, during his rookie season, the then-up-and-coming player used opportunities on the field to pick the brains of established stars like Shohei Ohtani. He prepared specific questions, eager to learn the secrets of their success.

Now, as an All-Star in 2024, the dynamic has shifted dramatically. De La Cruz, still in his early 20s, is now the go-to guy for advice. Players across the league are approaching him, curious about his electrifying base-stealing abilities, his remarkable stamina that allows him to play every day, and his prodigious power at the plate.

“I get a lot of questions,” De La Cruz said through interpreter Tomás Vera. “They always say, ‘You play every day, so how do you prepare yourself for the game?'”

De La Cruz welcomes the attention and is always willing to share his insights. “I love talking with people on base,” he stated. “If I know them, we start talking about something. If I don’t know them, I make sure I get to know that guy. I enjoy that.”

The young star has become known for his friendly and approachable demeanor on the field, fostering connections with players from diverse backgrounds. “Pretty much every single Dominican, we’re friends. Even if I’ve never met them, as soon as they get to second base we’ll start talking. I have a lot of friends. Not just Dominicans. I also talk to Americans, Venezuelans, every single country. I always try to be friendly.”

This story and more on Elly De La Cruz’s handling of stardom can be found in the latest issue of *Cincinnati Magazine*.

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