The MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway drew a record of 91,032 fans. An infield diamond inside a NASCAR track turned into a prime-time game. Not only the diamond, but the booth was filled with veterans like A-Rod, Captain Clutch, and Big Papi. From that booth, Derek Jeter’s plea for the Reds batter put the young shortstop in the national spotlight.

The Reds signed him in July 2018 for only $65,000. At 23 years old and posting a .855 OPS this year, he has not only become the cornerstone for the Reds, but someone who can’t be ignored. And well, when Jeter takes notice, you know he’s worth it. It’s Reds’ shortstop Elly De La Cruz.

During the pre-game coverage of the MLB Speedway Classic, the discussion turned to De La Cruz. Jeter didn’t shy away from showing high praise for him. He said, “I hope for the baseball world, the Cincinnati Reds, whether it’s this year, next year, they need to get into the postseason so the rest of baseball world can watch. Because he’s fun to watch and, like you’ve said, a lot of people don’t know about him. He’s sort of flying under the radar. He’s someone that everyone needs to see.” 

His praises weren’t vague as well. This season, he has hit 18 home runs and 25 stolen bases. His strikeout percentage went down from 31.3% to 24.5%, and his walk rate went up from 9.9% to 10.7%.  These are great improvements, but it’s not just about the numbers. It’s also about key moments.

In the Sunday game against the Braves, they may have lost by 4-2, but De La Cruz started the scoring with an infield single and later made a nice scoop-and-turn double play at short in the eighth inning. Even though the outcome wasn’t in their favour, his hustle and instincts stood out.

These two shortstops have more than just professional respect for each other. When De La Cruz met him before the Home Run Derby, he couldn’t stop admiring him, stating, “I grew up as a Jeter fan. He was my favorite player.” Jeter responded with grace: “Thank you … I appreciate that.”

So, Jeter’s request wasn’t nostalgia—it was a stark reminder of MLB’s marketing gap. Even elite young talents sometimes struggle in smaller markets for national recognition. The Speedway Classic provided spectacle, but MLB and, most importantly, the Reds must give exposure to De La Cruz. Interestingly, Jeter wasn’t the only one who thought that way. Even David Ortiz and A-Rod were on the same page.

Two Veterans, one message: Make Elly De La Cruz as big as he should be

Ortiz, who was sharing the booth with Jeter, also couldn’t stop praising De La Cruz. He said, “This is a kid that is so much fun to watch. You don’t see his name out there so much because he’s not playing in a big market. If he played for the Yankees, Dodgers or even the Red Sox, he’d be on TV every day. And the most important thing, he’s a great kid.” It’s clear that Jeter wasn’t the only one who saw De La Cruz’s star quality.

Alex Rodriguez backed up that idea by saying, “Every element you appreciate about NASCAR, you appreciate about (Elly) De La Cruz… could be the best player in [MLB] for the next 15 years.” And when you see him play under pressure, it’s evident how right A-Rod was about his domination.

On July 31, in a thrilling 12-11, 10-inning game against Atlanta, De La Cruz hit a crucial two-run home run that changed the momentum, though the team ultimately lost. He takes this sport very seriously, too. Especially when personal tragedy strikes during the season. In June, after learning of his elder sister’s passing, he had an emotional game against the Cubs, hitting a homer in the sixth inning, honoring her memory.

Beyond the field, De La Cruz thinks about his broader impact. He is working on his English so that he can connect better with his fans. De La Cruz added, “I would like everybody here in the USA to understand what I say, and to send the message to all the kids in the Dominican that they can do it too.” That drive makes him appealing for more than just stats or home runs.