MLB analyst makes bold prediction on Elly De La Cruz, justifies ranking Masyn Winn as seventh-best shortstop

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz posted an impressive 2024 campaign in his first full season in the major leagues. The 23-year-old hit 25 home runs besides leading the MLB with 67 stolen bases to finish as the most productive position player of his team with 5.2 bWAR.

Masyn Winn, a shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals, also had an excellent campaign in his second year, producing 4.9 bWAR over the season.

MLB analyst Joe Posnaski rated Elly De La Cruz in fourth spot on his list of the top 10 shortstops for the 2025 season. Posnaski has predicted De La Cruz to display his potential as one of the best players in the game with his all-round skills. He put Winn as his wild card pick in seventh place, explaining that he could be the best defender at his position and probably has the best throwing arm of all.

Posnaski, a senior writer for Sports Illustrated, compiled his list of the 10 best shortstops for the MLB Network. He offered his insight on Elly De la Cruz during the MLB Now program on Wednesday.

"He could be the best player in baseball," he said. "You just don't know what you're going to get from him. He will have stretches of time where he is the very best player in baseball. He obviously is going to steal a billion bases, and he's going to hit with some power. He's got a great arm. He can do everything."

Posnaski also waxed lyrical on Masyn Winn.

"At 22 years old, he put in a five-win season. That's crazy, right? Only a handful of shortstops have ever done that," Posnaski said. "What I love about him is that, in defense, you're always going to get it. It's the best arm in baseball.

"He came along faster with the bat than everybody thought. I see him growing. I see him getting better. St. Louis has to build around him anyway. So, I'm bullish on Masyn Winn.St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds both missed out on the playoffs after finishing in third and fourth position of the National League Central.

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"I think he settles it down this year": Joe Posnaski on the inconsistency of Elly De La Cruz at the plate

Elly De la Cruz also led the MLB for caught stealing and strikeouts in 2024 (Image Source: Imagn)

Joe Posnaski highlighted the inconsistency of Elly De La Cruz as the major hinderance in preventing him from being one of the elite superstars in MLB.

Nevertheless, he expects the Cincinnati Reds shortstop to improve this year and come close to delivering to his full potential.

"What's held him back from being in that very, very top echelon has been these long slumps. These long stretches of time where he was just not delivering," Posnaski said. "I think he settles it down this year and takes a step up to the big time."

Elly De La Cruz batted .259/.339/.471 with an OPS+ of 119. He also earned his first All-Star selection and finished eighth in MVP voting.