Elly De La Cruz Poised for Monster Season as Reds Aim to End Playoff Drought

Enquirer experts predict big years for Reds' young core, including 30-homer seasons for Elly De La Cruz, Eugenio Suárez, and Sal Stewart.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 4:35am

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The Cincinnati Reds are looking to build on their progress from last season and end their 31-year playoff series drought. Enquirer columnists Jason Williams, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Pat Brennan make bold predictions for the 2026 season, including win totals, All-Star selections, Gold Glove winners, and breakout performances from the team's young core led by Elly De La Cruz, Eugenio Suárez, and Sal Stewart.

Why it matters

The Reds have not won a playoff series since 1995, the longest drought in American major league sports. After showing signs of progress in recent seasons, the team's young stars are poised to lead the Reds back to the postseason and potentially end that historic drought.

The details

The Reds' bold predictions include 85-91 win seasons, a return to the playoffs, and the end of the team's 31-year playoff series drought. The experts see big seasons from Elly De La Cruz, who they project to hit 30-32 home runs and steal 52-64 bases. Eugenio Suárez and rookie Sal Stewart are also expected to hit 30 home runs, providing protection for De La Cruz in the lineup. The Reds' starting pitching depth, led by Nick Lodolo and Andrew Abbott, is also expected to be a strength.

  • The Reds open the 2026 season on March 28.
  • Hunter Greene is expected to return from elbow surgery in mid-August.
  • The Reds will host the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia in July.

The players

Elly De La Cruz

A two-time All-Star outfielder for the Reds who is projected to have a monster season, hitting 30-32 home runs and stealing 52-64 bases.

Eugenio Suárez

A veteran slugger who returns to the Reds after a few seasons away, and is expected to hit 30 or more home runs in the cleanup spot.

Sal Stewart

A rookie who is projected to hit 30 home runs and provide protection for Elly De La Cruz and Eugenio Suárez in the Reds' lineup.

Nick Lodolo

The Reds' ace pitcher who is expected to have a breakout season and post the best ERA among the team's starting pitchers.

Andrew Abbott

A reliable starting pitcher for the Reds who is projected to make the most starts (30+) on the team this season.

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What they’re saying

“Are your eyeballs painted on? What'd I just say? They not only win a home playoff game, they also win a playoff series for the first time since Barry Larkin's MVP season.”

— Gordon Wittenmyer, Reds writer

“You're looking at baseball's next 30-50 man. Like I already said, he'll get 30 home runs. And with that quad healthy and stronger, he'll get 52 steals.”

— Pat Brennan, Reds writer

“In Terry Francona's system, De La Cruz is never going to steal 67 bases like he did in 2024. However, with his leg feeling better, EDLC will steal 47 bases and hit a career-high 28 home runs.”

— Jason Williams, Enquirer columnist

What’s next

The Reds will look to carry their momentum from the 2026 season into the playoffs, where they will aim to win their first postseason series since 1995.

The takeaway

The Reds' young core, led by Elly De La Cruz, Eugenio Suárez, and Sal Stewart, is poised to power the team to a playoff berth and potentially end the franchise's long drought without a postseason series win. If the team's starting pitching depth can hold up, the Reds could be a force to be reckoned with in the National League in 2026.