Name: Alexis De La Cruz
Position: RHP
Born: September 20, 2004
Country: Dominican Republic
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height/Weight: 6’6″ 205lbs
How Acquired: International Free Agent (2023 Class)
Signed: January 15, 2023
Bonus:
Options Remaining: 3
Rule 5 Eligible: 2027
MiLB Free Agency: 2029
Stats
Pitcher Tracking
*Pitch tracking data sourced from Statcast, broadcasts, and individual reports
| Pitch Type | Year | Velocity Low | Velocity High | Velocity Peak | Games Tracked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FA | 2023 | 90 | 94 | 94 | 2 |
| CB | 2023 | 77 | 81 | 81 | 2 |
| CH | 2023 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 1 |
Prospect Rankings
Role: #3/#4 Starter
Risk: Extreme – De La Cruz has pitched one season in pro ball, but up an ERA of 4.31 and walked 4.9 per 9 in the DSL. While there is plenty to dream on in the frame and the base of his arsenal, it really is mostly a dream right now.
Summary: De La Cruz signed as an 18 year old for an undisclosed (likely low) signing bonus at the open of the 2023 signing period. If you don’t look at the stat line and just at the video, it is pretty clear why the Phillies and outside observers like De La Cruz. He is tall and well proportioned with the room to add a bit more strength. He also repeats his delivery well for his size. His fastball mostly sat 90-94, but the Phillies have reported him up to 96. He comes from a fairly high angle, but gets good extension on it and can work it up in the zone well, and it appears to have a good movement profile (all visual, I don’t have the spin or movement). His breaking ball has been called both a curveball and a slider, and the truth is definitely in the middle as it sits 77-81 and has two plane sweeping movement. It would not be surprising if it shaped into either more of a curve or a slider, or they keep it as a sweeper and then add around it (commonly the Phillies have gone with a cutter and/or true vertical curveball). He shows feel for a mid 80s changeup with fade. It is not hard to visually see a big bodied innings eater type from De La Cruz, but I don’t know if there are currently front line traits, and the command and control can get a bit loose. The big question will be if there is more stuff to be worked out of the frame and delivery, and whether he settles in on a sort of mid rotation trajectory or we are waiting for a breakout to come.
2024 Outlook: De La Cruz is slated to come stateside where he should pitch in Extended Spring Training and the FCL.
Role: #3/#4 Starter
Risk: Extreme – De La Cruz has pitched one season in pro ball, but up an ERA of 4.31 and walked 4.9 per 9 in the DSL. While there is plenty to dream on in the frame and the base of his arsenal, it really is mostly a dream right now.
Summary: De La Cruz signed as an 18 year old for an undisclosed (likely low) signing bonus at the open of the 2023 signing period. If you don’t look at the stat line and just at the video, it is pretty clear why the Phillies and outside observers like De La Cruz. He is tall and well proportioned with the room to add a bit more strength. He also repeats his delivery well for his size. His fastball mostly sat 90-94, but the Phillies have reported him up to 96. He comes from a fairly high angle, but gets good extension on it and can work it up in the zone well, and it appears to have a good movement profile (all visual, I don’t have the spin or movement). His breaking ball has been called both a curveball and a slider, and the truth is definitely in the middle as it sits 77-81 and has two plane sweeping movement. It would not be surprising if it shaped into either more of a curve or a slider, or they keep it as a sweeper and then add around it (commonly the Phillies have gone with a cutter and/or true vertical curveball). He shows feel for a mid 80s changeup with fade. It is not hard to visually see a big bodied innings eater type from De La Cruz, but I don’t know if there are currently front line traits, and the command and control can get a bit loose. The big question will be if there is more stuff to be worked out of the frame and delivery, and whether he settles in on a sort of mid rotation trajectory or we are waiting for a breakout to come.
2024 Outlook: De La Cruz is slated to come stateside where he should pitch in Extended Spring Training and the FCL.