The first half of the MLB season is in the books, and what a first half it was. Between all the rule changes and Shohei Ohtani doing things on the diamond we’ve never seen before, this season has been unprecedented. Let’s get you caught up on the biggest stories of the first half.
RULE CHANGES
In short, many of the rule changes are doing exactly what Rob Manfred and the rest of the MLB office wanted. Games are shorter, there’s more action on the base paths, and batting averages are up (though they are still not close to what it was in the 80s and earlier).
PITCH TIMER
The average time of a 9-inning MLB game is 2:38 this season LINK, down from 3:03 last year and 3:10 in 2021 (which is the highest season on record). That’s on track to be the lowest 9-inning game average in a single season since 1984 (2:35).
BIGGER BASES/LIMITS ON DISENGAGEMENTS
There have been 2,466 stolen base attempts this season, the most prior to the All-Star break since there were 2,548 in 2011. Caught stealing didn’t become officially tracked until 1951, and the 79.4% SB success rate so far this season is the best prior to the break in that time.
There have 1,957 SB so far this season, the most ever prior to the All-Star break (previous record was 1,912 in 1987).
HOW THE SHIFT BAN AFFECTED THE MLB SEASON
The overall MLB BA is .248 so far this season, up from .242 prior to the break last season and .240 in 2021 (which was the lowest since .233 in 1968, the year before the mound was lowered).
Batting Average on Balls in Play is .297 this season, on pace to be 7 points higher than it was last season (.290 BABIP, lowest in a single season since 1992).
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY AMONG THE DIVISIONS
The Cleveland Guardians entered the All-Star break with an AL Central division lead and .500 (45-45) record. It’s the first time every team in a division was .500 or worse at the break since the 2008 NL West and fourth time it’s happened in the Divisional Era (since 1969).
The AL East, conversely, is the first division in the Divisional Era with each team above .500 at the break. Pete Sheppard's beloved Red Sox are in last place in the division but 5 games over .500 and only two games behind for a wild card spot.
The second half of the MLB season will begin on Friday. All teams are in action.
10.83 seconds: Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds
10.83 seconds. That's all it took. Elly De La Cruz hit a ball into the gap into right center field and was on 3rd base 10.83 seconds later. Elly is 21 years old and 3 weeks ago he was playing AAA ball and we had no idea who he was. Now he's the hottest name in baseball, at least to us Reds fans.
Elly has brought an energy to the Reds that I haven't seen in quite awhile. Until my friend sang the National Anthem at the June 7th game, I hadn't watched a single minute of Reds baseball this year. I moved from Dayton, Ohio to Southwest Florida, the Fort Myers area, about 20 years ago. There's not a lot of Reds talk down here. Until now.
Here's what Elly's stardom means to me. Elly wears number 44. That's Eric Davis's number. "Eric The Red" as he was called, was my favorite player growing up. My dad would take us to games and I'd watch him play. Davis played with intensity. He knew he had a gift and played all out. So when I saw highlights of this new guy wearing number 44 - playing at full speed, swinging hard at every pitch, and absolutely crushing it, well, it guess it reminds me of watching games as a kid at Riverfront.
Elly hit for the cycle on Friday night, and helped the Reds beat the Braves 11-10. They've now won 12 games in a row. I'm watching the games now. And texting back and forth with my parents who are 1,100 miles away. So yeah, this is special to me, too. I'm watching Reds games with my Dad again. And cheering for number 44.
I'm not the only one. The Reds average attendance this year is 19,659. In April, a game drew 7,375. Last night's game against the Braves was sold out.
Elly De La Cruz signed with the Reds back in 2018.
In 2020, COVID cancelled that year's minor league baseball season, costing the young players a year of development. In 2022 he played single A ball with the Dayton Dragons. He started 2023 with the Triple-A Louisville Bats.
Elly was called up to the "Show" on June 6th. On June 7th he hit his first major league home run. On June 23rd he hit for the cycle against one of the best teams in all of baseball. His stats are impressive. In just 15 games he is 22 for 61 with 17 runs scored. 3 home runs, 10 RBI, 7 stolen bases, and a batting average of .361.
Here's what the last (less than) three weeks has looked like.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 06: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds takes the field for warmups before the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park on June 06, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. De La Cruz, the #4 MLB prospect, was called up for the game. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 06: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a double in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers first his first career hit at Great American Ball Park on June 06, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The appearance was De La Cruz's MLB debut. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 06: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a double in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers first his first career hit at Great American Ball Park on June 06, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The appearance was De La Cruz's MLB debut. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 07: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park on June 07, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the first home run of his career. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 07: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park on June 07, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the first home run of his career. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 07: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds tosses his bat after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park on June 07, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the first home run of his career. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 07: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a triple in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park on June 07, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 07: Jonathan India #6 and Bennett Sousa #33 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrate after Will Benson #30 hit a walk-off home run in the ninth inning to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-6 at Great American Ball Park on June 07, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 08: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a single in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park on June 08, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 9: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds throws to first for an out against the St. Louis Cardinals in the third inning at Busch Stadium on June 9, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 10: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits an RBI single against the St. Louis Cardinals in the third inning at Busch Stadium on June 10, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 10: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds steals second base against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth inning at Busch Stadium on June 10, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 10: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds scores a run against Andrew Knizner #7 of the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh inning at Busch Stadium on June 10, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 11: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds fields a ground ball by the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh inning at Busch Stadium on June 11, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 11: Willson Contreras #40 of the St. Louis Cardinals is unable to tag out Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds at home plate in the eighth inning at Busch Stadium on June 11, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 12: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds bats during the 1st inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on June 12, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 12: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds in action during the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on June 12, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 12: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds in action during the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on June 12, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 12: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds in action during the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on June 12, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 12: Pitcher Ricky Karcher #74 of the Cincinnati Reds is congratulated by Elly De La Cruz #44 after defeating the Kansas City Royals in the bottom of the 10th inning in his Major League debut during the game at Kauffman Stadium on June 12, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 16: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 16, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 17: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds steals second base in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 17, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 17: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds grounds out to Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros in the fifth inning at Minute Maid Park on June 17, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 17: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds congratulates Spencer Steer #7 after defeating the Houston Astros 10-3 at Minute Maid Park on June 17, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 18: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds throws out Mauricio Dubon #14 of the Houston Astros during the fourth inning at Minute Maid Park on June 18, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 18: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds slides into first ahead of Jose Abreu #79 of the Houston Astros for a single during the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park on June 18, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 18: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds singles during the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 18, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 18: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds slides into first ahead of Jose Abreu #79 of the Houston Astros for a single during the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park on June 18, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 18: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds singles during the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 18, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 18: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds waits to bat during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 18, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 18: Matt McLain #9 and Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds high five after defeating the Houston Astros 9-7 at Minute Maid Park on June 18, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 18: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits an RBI single during the tenth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 18, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 18: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits an RBI single during the tenth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 18, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 19: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park on June 19, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 19: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a single in the 6th inning against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park on June 19, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 19: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a single in the 6th inning against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park on June 19, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 19: Elly De La Cruz #44 and Jonathan India #6 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrate after scoring in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park on June 19, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 20: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates with TJ Friedl #29 after a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park on June 20, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 20: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds throws Coco Montes #3 of the Colorado Rockies out at first base in the seventh inning of a baseball game at Great American Ball Park on June 20, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 20: Ryan McMahon #24 of the Colorado Rockies collides with Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds on a fielders choice hit by Jake Fraley #27 in the seventh inning of a baseball game at Great American Ball Park on June 20, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 21: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a single against the Colorado Rockies in the second inning of a baseball game at Great American Ball Park on June 21, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 21: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds rounds the bases and scores after a two-run home run hit by Jake Fraley #27 in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park on June 21, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 21: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds enters the field prior to a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park on June 21, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 23: Jake Fraley #27 and Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrate after Fraley hit a home run in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park on June 23, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 23: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds breaks his bat hitting a single in the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park on June 23, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 23: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a triple for the cycle in the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park on June 23, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 23: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds slides into third base for a triple for the cycle in the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Great American Ball Park on June 23, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
