Carlos De La Cruz Stats & Scouting Report

AB	163
AVG	.19
OBP	.24
SLG	.276
HR	3

Full name Carlos De La Cruz
Born 10/06/1999 in Yonkers, NY
Profile Ht.: 6'8" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: De La Cruz went unselected out of high school in 2017, when the draft was still 40 rounds. He signed as a free agent on the strength of breathtaking raw power. De La Cruz began to put things together in 2022, when he split the year between High-A Jersey Shore and Double-A Reading and crushed 17 home runs. He upped that total to 24 in 2023, when he spent the entire season at Double-A.

Scouting Report: De La Cruz has a huge frame at 6-foot-8 and the power that would be expected from someone that size. His 90.6-mph average and 106.6-mph 90th percentile exit velocities are among the best in the system, but he also has the miss rates that usually come from someone who stands at 6-foot-8. He’s an aggressive swinger who rarely walks, leading scouts to believe his hit tool will be below-average at best. De La Cruz bounced through all three outfield positions in 2023 and got a good chunk of time at first base as well. Scouts like him better in the outfield because he’s a long strider who can cover plenty of ground. His below-average arm would fit best in left field. He’s a big target at first base but his footwork is suspect and his hands are too stiff to scoop balls with regularity.

The Future: De La Cruz was left unprotected and unselected in each of the last two Rule 5 drafts. His raw power will give him plenty of chances but his likely role in the big leagues is as a bench bat who can provide a jolt every now and then. He’ll move to Triple-A in 2024.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: De La Cruz went under the radar as a high school senior in 2017 and wasn't selected in the 40-round draft, but an impressive showing during the travel ball circuit that summer led the Phillies to sign him as a nondrafted free agent. After struggling in full-season ball in 2019 and 2021, De La Cruz took a huge step forward in 2022 with High-A Jersey Shore. He slashed .266/.344/.463 with 10 homers before posting an .825 OPS in 38 games with Double-A Reading. He ended the season with a 17-game stint in the Arizona Fall League. De La Cruz was left unprotected for the 2022 MLB Rule 5 Draft.

Scouting Report: De La Cruz stands out for his massive 6-foot-8 frame and plus-plus raw power, as evidenced by his 108.6 mph 90th percentile exit velocity, which led to a career-high 17 home runs in 2022. De La Cruz does struggle to consistently get to his power, however, due to his long levers and tendency to chase out of the zone. While he was at Jersey Shore he worked to sync up all parts of his body, shortening his movements and swing while concentrating on staying on pitches to hit. He needs to improve his approach and cut down on his swing-and-miss and chase rates moving forward, and due to his long levers and aggressive approach he's unlikely to be more than a 40-grade hitter. The organization believes he can stick in an outfield corner moving forward, but opposing scouts view him as a below-average defender who's more suited for first base, with below-average speed.

The Future: Few players within the organization improved as much in 2022 as De La Cruz. He has the potential to be a 30-home run, 175-strikeout player in the major leagues, but he'll need to cut down on his swing-and-miss to get to that point. He'll start 2023 back at Double-A Reading.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 40. Arm: 40.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: De La Cruz went under the radar as a high school senior in 2017 and wasn't selected in the 40-round draft, but an impressive showing during the travel ball circuit that summer led the Phillies to sign him as a nondrafted free agent. After struggling in full-season ball in 2019 and 2021, De La Cruz took a huge step forward in 2022 with High-A Jersey Shore. He slashed .266/.344/.463 with 10 homers before posting an .825 OPS in 38 games with Double-A Reading. He ended the season with a 17-game stint in the Arizona Fall League. De La Cruz was left unprotected for the 2022 MLB Rule 5 Draft.

Scouting Report: De La Cruz stands out for his massive 6-foot-8 frame and plus-plus raw power, as evidenced by his 108.6 mph 90th percentile exit velocity, which led to a career-high 17 home runs in 2022. De La Cruz does struggle to consistently get to his power, however, due to his long levers and tendency to chase out of the zone. While he was at Jersey Shore he worked to sync up all parts of his body, shortening his movements and swing while concentrating on staying on pitches to hit. He needs to improve his approach and cut down on his swing-and-miss and chase rates moving forward, and due to his long levers and aggressive approach he's unlikely to be more than a 40-grade hitter. The organization believes he can stick in an outfield corner moving forward, but opposing scouts view him as a below-average defender who's more suited for first base, with below-average speed.

The Future: Few players within the organization improved as much in 2022 as De La Cruz. He has the potential to be a 30-home run, 175-strikeout player in the major leagues, but he'll need to cut down on his swing-and-miss to get to that point. He'll start 2023 back at Double-A Reading.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 40. Arm: 40.
BA Grade/Risk: 40/High

Track Record: De La Cruz went under the radar as a high school senior in 2017 and wasn't selected in the 40-round draft, but an impressive showing during the travel ball circuit that summer led the Phillies to sign him as a nondrafted free agent. After struggling in full-season ball in 2019 and 2021, De La Cruz took a huge step forward in 2022 with High-A Jersey Shore. He slashed .266/.344/.463 with 10 homers before posting an .825 OPS in 38 games with Double-A Reading. He ended the season with a 17-game stint in the Arizona Fall League. De La Cruz was left unprotected for the 2022 MLB Rule 5 Draft.

Scouting Report: De La Cruz stands out for his massive 6-foot-8 frame and plus-plus raw power, as evidenced by his 108.6 mph 90th percentile exit velocity, which led to a career-high 17 home runs in 2022. De La Cruz does struggle to consistently get to his power, however, due to his long levers and tendency to chase out of the zone. While he was at Jersey Shore he worked to sync up all parts of his body, shortening his movements and swing while concentrating on staying on pitches to hit. He needs to improve his approach and cut down on his swing-and-miss and chase rates moving forward, and due to his long levers and aggressive approach he's unlikely to be more than a 40-grade hitter. The organization believes he can stick in an outfield corner moving forward, but opposing scouts view him as a below-average defender who's more suited for first base, with below-average speed.

The Future: Few players within the organization improved as much in 2022 as De La Cruz. He has the potential to be a 30-home run, 175-strikeout player in the major leagues, but he'll need to cut down on his swing-and-miss to get to that point. He'll start 2023 back at Double-A Reading.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 40. Arm: 40.

Career Transactions

OF Carlos De La Cruz assigned to Lehigh Valley IronPigs from Reading Fightin Phils.
Reading Fightin Phils activated OF Carlos De La Cruz from the 7-day injured list.
Reading Fightin Phils placed OF Carlos De La Cruz on the 7-day injured list.
OF Carlos De La Cruz roster status changed by Philadelphia Phillies.
OF Carlos De La Cruz assigned to Philadelphia Phillies.