Elly De La Cruz is coming soon — and that may leave Jonathan India without a spot

The Reds have a problem with Jonathan India. It’s a good problem, but a problem nonetheless.

The Reds soon may boast too many good infielders, most notably the game’s top prospect, Elly De La Cruz, who is closing in on his major-league debut.

India, 26, was the 2021 National League Rookie of the Year. He’s currently the team’s three-hole hitter, putting together a season much more like his award-winning first year than his injury-riddled sophomore campaign. Beyond that, Reds players and officials consider him the heart and soul of the team.
But in a stunning turn that reflects the acceleration of the Reds’ rebuild and a shift toward perhaps their youngest and most athletic roster ever, India also is in danger of being displaced at second base.

“It’s part of the game. There are always guys behind you, always,” India said Saturday. “If I just play well, it won’t matter. That’s all I can do, play my best and make the decision tough for them.”

India is currently part of a double-play combination with promising rookie Matt McLain, who has started at shortstop in 12 of the past 13 games, including all three games of the Reds’ weekend sweep of the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

De La Cruz, meanwhile, is pushing for an immediate call-up. Recently named the top prospect in baseball by ESPN and listed in at least the top three everywhere else, De La Cruz is making a joke of the International League. The 6-foot-5 switch-hitter is already inspiring Paul Bunyan-level stories among even the most grizzled veteran players and scouts. Some Reds people who have seen him play call him a “switch-hitting (Fernando) Tatis (Jr.) with upside,” an intriguing notion, to say the least.