Kelvin De La Cruz

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #24 prospect in 2011
  De la Cruz ranked No. 7 on this list, Cleveland's second-best pitching prospect, after the 2008 season. He struck out 19 over 12 innings in his first two starts in 2009, but a strained elbow ligament subsequently shut him down for most of the year. He was healthy again last season but his pitches weren't as crisp as they had been in the past. His fastball sat at 87-91 mph and rarely touched 94 like it had previously. His hard curveball was a plus pitch at times but slurvy at others. De la Cruz mixes in a changeup that has its moments, but he got behind in the count so frequently last year that he didn't use it often. Many of his struggles stemmed from his inability to repeat his mechanics, which led to an average of 5.1 walks per nine innings. He throws across his body, has trouble maintaining his high three-quarters arm slot and spins off his front leg. With his first post-injury season behind him, 2011 will be a crucial year for de la Cruz, who will return to Double-A to begin the season.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #13 prospect in 2010
  De la Cruz appeared to be a prime candidate for a breakout season in 2009, and his two brilliant starts to open the season with Kinston were a promising sign. Yet those would be the last starts he would make for the K-Tribe, as he came down with a strained ligament in his elbow that effectively ended his season. He made three rehab starts in the Rookie-level Arizona League at the end of August, and threw more in instructional league and in the team's Dominican instructional program, working as long as three innings against live hitters. His velocity hadn't fully returned, though he was throwing without restrictions and the Indians expect him to be ready to go for spring training. Cleveland still chose to protect de la Cruz from the Rule 5 draft by placing him on their 40-man roster after the season. He has the most upside of any lefthander in the system, starting with a 90-91 mph fastball that touches 94 when he's right. His mid- to high-70s curveball can be a plus pitch that he can throw to lefties and righties. He's still growing into his coordination and his delivery, and he'll need to throw his changeup more when he's healthy. There's a good chance de la Cruz will return to high Class A in 2010, and if he stays healthy he should end up in Akron at some point.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #7 prospect in 2009
  When the Indians signed de la Cruz in 2004, the lanky lefty pitched at 83-84 mph and topped out at 86. His velocity has climbed steadily each year, and he finally reached full-season ball in 2008. De la Cruz now sits at 89-92 mph and touches 93-94 with his four-seam fastball. He's still growing and getting stronger, so he could add more velocity. His best pitch is his 75-77 mph curveball, which has two-plane depth and neutralizes lefties and righties. He also mixes in a two-seam fastball with good sink and a changeup that shows promise. De la Cruz struggles to maintain his mid- to high three-quarters arm slot, which impedes his ability to throw strikes. Better balance and separation over the rubber will allow him to repeat his release point out front. Scouts have differing opinions about his athleticism, though that may be because he's still growing into his body and coordination. He needs to throw his changeup more often and it has taken a back seat in developmental priority to fastball command. De la Cruz again will be one of the high Class A Carolina League's youngest pitchers in 2009. How quickly he can make the necessary mechanical adjustments will dictate the speed of his ascent.