Net Worth Ranker
What Is Elly De La Cruz’s Net Worth?
Elly De La Cruz, the Dominican professional baseball infielder currently playing for the Cincinnati Reds, has an estimated net worth of $400,000. This figure primarily reflects his earnings from his burgeoning baseball career and endorsement deals.
Elly De La Cruz’s Contract and Salary Details
Prior to the 2023 MLB season, Elly De La Cruz signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds for $720,000. This contract represents his base salary for the season, before taxes, agent fees, and other deductions.
Before reaching the major leagues, De La Cruz entered into an agreement with Big League Advance (BLA), now known as Big League Advantage. According to their website, BLA is an investment fund that provides capital to athletes in exchange for a percentage of their future earnings. In De La Cruz’s case, he agreed to pay 10% of every dollar he earns as an MLB player to BLA. This means that for every million dollars Elly earns, BLA receives $100,000. This arrangement has drawn scrutiny, with some commentators suggesting that it could lead to De La Cruz owing BLA significant sums if he achieves substantial earnings in his career.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Elly Antonio De La Cruz was born on January 11, 2002, in Sabana Grande de Boyá, Dominican Republic. Growing up with eight siblings, including a fraternal twin brother named Pedro, Elly’s early life was deeply rooted in baseball. He stands nine inches taller than his twin, Pedro. Pedro mentioned in an ESPN interview in June 2023 that people often don’t believe they are twins until they see their birth certificates.
At the age of six, Elly moved out of his family home to live with his coach’s brother, who provided him with food and baseball training. He trained at a baseball academy in Santo Domingo, playing left field and pitching for local teams. During a tournament, the Vilorio family recognized his talent and offered him a place on their new team, providing him with a new glove, bat, and living arrangements.
Elly’s professional baseball journey began in July 2018 when he signed with the Cincinnati Reds as an international free agent, receiving a $65,000 signing bonus. This initial bonus marked the start of his professional baseball career and contributed to his early financial standing.
He made his professional debut in 2019 with the Dominican Summer League Reds, where he hit .285 in 43 games. In 2020, the minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, halting his on-field earnings and development momentum temporarily. In 2021, he played for the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League Reds and the Single-A Daytona Tortugas, batting .296/.336/.539 with eight home runs and 42 RBIs over more than 60 games.
Ascent to the Major Leagues
In 2022, De La Cruz continued his ascent through the Reds’ minor league system, playing for the Dayton Dragons (High–A) and the Chattanooga Lookouts (Double–A). Over 121 games, he hit .304/.359/.586 with a career-high 28 home runs and 86 RBIs. He was selected to represent the Reds in the 2022 All-Star Futures Game, a significant recognition of his potential and performance.
In November 2022, De La Cruz was added to the Reds’ roster to protect him from the MLB’s Rule 5 draft, which prevents teams from excessively stockpiling young players in their minor league affiliates. For the beginning of the 2023 season, he was optioned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats, where he continued to excel, batting .298/.398/.633 with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs in 38 games. He was called up to the major leagues on June 6, 2023, following an injury to Nick Senzel. The following day, he hit his first major league home run. On July 8, 2023, he stole second, third, and home in a single inning, becoming the first Reds player to accomplish this feat in over a century.
One notable achievement in his MLB career occurred on June 23, 2023, when he hit for the cycle against the Atlanta Braves, hitting a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game. At 21 years old, he was the youngest player to achieve this since César Cedeño in 1972.
Personal Life and Influences
Elly De La Cruz wears a pendant with his mother’s photo, a constant reminder of his journey and the sacrifices made to support his baseball dreams. According to the “Cincinnati Enquirer,” this pendant symbolizes the times he doubted his ability to reach the big leagues and his upbringing in the Dominican Republic, where he longed for a baseball jersey. His mother, Carmin, told him that she would always be proud of him, regardless of the trajectory of his baseball career.
He stated that he wants to give everything to his mother, as she is the reason he is where he is today and he wants her to feel proud of him.
