Okay, let’s talk about Elly De La Cruz. You know him. The guy with the 90-foot strides and the cannon for an arm. He’s baseball’s most electric human highlight reel. So, how much does this human lightning bolt actually make? Grab your popcorn. It’s a wild ride.
The Big Number
As of 2024, Elly De La Cruz is making $740,000 per year. That’s the league minimum for a player with his service time. Wait, what? Only $740,000? For a guy who steals bases like he’s taking candy from a baby?
Yes, it’s true. He’s not a free agent yet. He’s under team control. The Cincinnati Reds hold the keys to his salary for now. But here’s the kicker: He also got a $1.4 million signing bonus when he inked his rookie contract back in 2018. So, technically, he’s already a millionaire.
Must Read
That $740k is his base salary for 2024. But wait—there’s more. He can earn extra cash through performance bonuses. If he wins MVP? Cha-ching. If he leads the league in stolen bases? More cha-ching. The Reds are not paying him like a superstar yet. But the clock is ticking.
The Quirky Math
Let’s break this down into funny numbers. He makes about $4,567 per game (162 games). That’s less than some backup catchers on the Yankees. Per inning? That’s roughly $254. For one at-bat? Around $1,100.
But here’s the hilarious part: He once hit a ball 117.4 mph off the bat. That’s a missile. For that single swing, he earned about $1,100 in salary. Meanwhile, some guy in a suit gets that much for a 10-minute Zoom call. Baseball is weird.
Elly De La Cruz Net Worth 2024: How rich is the Reds' super rookie?
Think about his running. He stole 35 bases in 2023. That’s $21,142 per stolen base. For a 90-foot sprint? That’s $235 per foot. Your Uber to the airport costs more per mile. Insane.
The Question of Fairness
Is he underpaid? Absolutely. By market value, he’d command $20 million a year right now. But baseball’s system is a beast. He’s not eligible for salary arbitration until 2026. That’s when the real money comes.
Here’s the funny twist: He’s literally more valuable than his salary suggests. A single home run robs him of future earnings? No—it increases his arbitration case. He’s investing in his own future with every highlight catch.
Elly De La Cruz Net Worth 2024: How rich is the Reds' super rookie?
But the Reds? They’re smiling. They control his cheap labor for three more seasons. They’re basically paying him in pennies per highlight. Meanwhile, you and I pay for cable to watch him. The irony is delicious.
How It Compares
Let’s compare him to other stars. Mike Trout makes $37.1 million per year. Elly makes $740,000. That’s a factor of 50x. Trout’s taxes alone are more than Elly’s salary.
Now compare him to Shohei Ohtani, who deferred $680 million. Ohtani’s deferred interest is probably bigger than Elly’s entire contract. Wild, right?
Reds’ Elly De La Cruz hits for cycle in win vs. Braves: How he achieved
But here’s the fun part: Elly is 22 years old. Trout was 22 once, making $500k. Ohtani was 23, making $545k. Elly is right on track. The arc of baseball history says: Be patient, you’ll get paid.
The Hidden Perks
Don’t feel bad for Elly. He gets free gear from Nike. He gets a per diem of $120 per day on road trips. That’s $19,440 a year in meal money alone. He can eat all the room service steak he wants.
Also, he gets a 401(k) match from the MLB. Yes, millionaires get retirement plans too. And he has union protection through the MLBPA. He’s not living in a cardboard box.
Elly De La Cruz Net Worth 2024: How rich is the Reds' super rookie?
Plus, his celebrity is priceless. Endorsements? Not yet, but they’re coming. Local car dealerships are already fighting to sponsor him. Wait till he hits free agency. Then the real party begins.
The Big Picture
So, how much does Elly De La Cruz make? Officially, $740,000. But unofficially? He’s worth ten times that in excitement. Every stolen base is worth a million cheers. Every 117-mph rocket is a memory you’ll tell your grandkids.
The answer is simple: He makes enough to live, but not enough for his talent. That’s baseball. It’s a system that rewards patience and punishes immediate hype. But for a fan? It’s pure comedy gold.
Next time you see him stretch a single into a double, remember: He just earned a free lunch for that sprint. And you just got a free thrill. That’s the deal. And it’s perfect.