Locked On Reds - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Reds

BREAKOUT: Cincinnati Reds Elly De La Cruz to DOMINATE with Bulked-Up Power & NEW Mindset in 2026

·34 min·3 clips

Elly De La Cruz added 12 pounds and changed his swing to dominate baseball in 2026.

This episode of Locked On Reds focuses on Cincinnati Reds player Elly De La Cruz's physical and mental preparation for the upcoming season. Hosts Stephen Offenbaker and Jeff Carr, who have covered the team for a combined 16 seasons, analyze expectations for the young star. They also preview discussions on spring training, the World Baseball Classic, and comments from a player nicknamed "Tito." The hosts detail that Elly De La Cruz has added 12 pounds of muscle during the offseason. They note he appears fully healed from a past leg injury described as a "broken wheel." De La Cruz has reportedly made specific changes to his batting swing mechanics. The episode references a message from "Tito," who states the Reds' competitive timeline is now, not in the future. Spring training games are mentioned as beginning imminently. The hosts plan to incorporate World Baseball Classic (WBC) discussion into the analysis. They also tease a potential segment called "good vibes only" for later in the 30-minute show. A central claim is that De La Cruz possesses the "right mindset" to dominate the league. The argument is presented that the Reds are shifting from being viewed as promising youngsters to a current win-now team. "Tito's" comments are framed as a significant declaration about the franchise's changed expectations. The physical transformation of De La Cruz is highlighted as a key factor for a potential breakout. The hosts imply that these combined elements could allow De La Cruz to "set the baseball world on fire." The tone is enthusiastic and conversational, reflecting two fans analyzing their favorite team. The style is informal and preview-driven, outlining topics to be covered in the episode's runtime. This episode would strongly appeal to dedicated Cincinnati Reds fans seeking offseason updates and player analysis. Listeners preferring deep, investigative reporting or topics beyond a single team's daily news might choose to skip it.

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