"Learning Japanese to talk to Shohei" - Elly De La Cruz looks forward to meeting $700,000,000 worth Dodgers superstar at 2024 All-Star game

Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz was named to this year's All-Star game, and the 22-year-old Dominican native looks forward to meeting Dodgers' two-way star Shohei Ohtani at the All-Star game. He has already begun his preparation to meet the Japanese star and the first step is learning Japanese to interact with the 10-year, $700 million Dodgers signee.

After Sunday's defeat against the Detroit Tigers, De La Cruz, in his post-game interview, mentioned trying to learn Japanese before sharing the field with Ohtani at Globe Life Field on July 16.

"I'm learning Japanese to talk to Shohei," he said (via journalist Joe Danneman). "Yeah. I don't know if I'm going to learn, but I'm trying. A little Japanese."

Elly De La Cruz's early season wish to meet Shohei Ohtani will soon come true

Earlier this season, when the Reds and the Dodgers clashed, Elly De La Cruz became a problem for the Dodgers' defense. The infielder stole as many as four bases during the Reds 7-2 series-opening win at Dodger Stadium. Interestingly, it was Shohei Ohtani's bobblehead night as well.

After the game, De La Cruz expressed his wish to meet Shohei Ohtani and become friends with him.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I want to meet him again," De La Cruz said. “Because when I met him last time, he was nice. He’s a great player. I want to be friends with him.” [via MLB.com].

Along with four stolen bases, the Reds star also went 4-for-4 with a walk and scored three runs.

Soon, Elly's wishes to meet Ohtani will come true as both sluggers will catch up in the National League dugout.

As one would expect, Elly De La Cruz is leading the majors with 43 stolen bases. The next best number in majors is Brice Turang of the Milwaukee Brewers, with 29 to his name. Apart from that, De La Cruz is hitting .247/.339/.464 to go along with .803 OPS. He has hit 15 homers and driven in 39 runners.