As the MLB All-Star game rosters were announced on July 7th, many young players will soon experience the star-studded midsummer classic. Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz is one player who has quickly become a star in the MLB and will make his All-Star game debut.
De La Cruz is in his second season with the Reds and has already become an all-star. The Dominican-born player made the team in his first full season in the MLB after making his debut with the Reds on June 6th last year.
Making your all-star debut comes with some excitement about playing alongside some of the best players in the league. De La Cruz recently expressed excitement about playing with fellow international star Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani was voted as a starter for the National League at DH. This is his fourth selection to an all-star team. The Japanese star has become one of the most popular players in the MLB.
In a press conference, De La Cruz stated he is learning to speak Japanese so that he can talk to Shohei.
Elly De La Cruz is learning to speak Japanese so he can talk with Shohei Ohtani ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vpEmJQiIHf
— MLB (@MLB) July 8, 2024
While this won’t be the first time the two have crossed paths, this will be the closest opportunity for the international stars to hang out.
Elly De La Cruz held a press conference in English this March to showcase his second language. MLB fans will be on the lookout for the two players during the all-star festivities that begin on June 12th.
Photo Credit: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds greets a young fan before the game against the Detroit Tigers. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
