A fearless rookie infielder has taken Major League Baseball (MLB) by storm, and it’s Eli De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds.

Cruz started at first base and shortstop in the Reds’ 2023 Major League Baseball home opener against the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, today (21 July) and went 1-for-4 with a walk and a hit.

More eye-catching than the record was Cruz’s powerful delivery. In the top of the fourth inning, with his team leading 2-0, Luis Matos hit a ball over the left field fence, allowing first baseman Wilmer Flores to steal second and third before rushing home.

Cruz, who received the ball from the left fielder, threw home, and catcher Luke Mailly made the tag after the throw, catching Flores at first base. Cruz’s throw was fast enough for the catcher to make the tag with time to spare.

According to Statcast, Major League Baseball’s statistical analysis system, Cruz’s throw was clocked at 99.8 miles per hour (about 160.6 kilometres per hour). This surpassed his previous best, which was 97.9 miles per hour (157.6 km/h) against the Milwaukee Brewers just four days earlier.

According to MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, Cruz’s throw was also the fastest assist by an infielder since Statcast began in 2015. The previous record was 96.1 mph (154.7 km/h) by Didi Gregorius (then of the New York Yankees) on 12 May 2015.

San Francisco manager Gabe “Red” Kepler acknowledged Cruz’s ability, saying, “He had a great relay, a perfect throw home, but it was the second out, so I don’t think there was anything wrong with the throw home.바카라사이트

In his big league debut this year, Cruz is batting .279 with 43 doubles, four home runs, 16 RBIs and a .763 OPS in 37 games and 154 at-bats. He even managed to set a new record with a “three stolen bases in one inning” against Milwaukee on the 9th of this month.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati rode Cruz’s performance to a 5-1 victory over San Francisco for its second straight win, improving to 52-46 (.531) on the season. San Francisco, which lost its second straight, is now 54-43 (.557).