Joey Votto did not hold back when he looked at Elly De La Cruz on NBC’s Sunday Night Baseball broadcast of the Reds-Cubs game in Chicago.
The former Cincinnati star said he had already delivered a message to De La Cruz before the game, one built around a bold prediction for what’s coming in 2027.
"I had a conversation before the game and told him, 'I want you to watch (Pete Crow-Armstrong) today. When PCA gets these MVP chants, that's going to be Elly De La Cruz in 2027.'
And I think he's motivated. … He has every single tool identical to PCA.
He just has not tapped into his full potential. And his full potential is best player in baseball."
Votto was then asked about the possibility of De La Cruz signing again with Cincinnati, and he made clear just how expensive that could get.
"Unfortunately we can't afford him," Votto said. "He's gonna cost roughly the GDP of a small country.
… Once he becomes the (defensive) shortstop that's consistent … checks every single box. … He's clearly an offensive threat.
Once he has that, he's basically the perfect player. Young, great body.
Projectable. He can do everything.
And he's a fantastic leader. I'm biased of course.
But I don't see a difference between him and PCA."
Votto also singled out another young Reds infielder, Sal Stewart, saying he has already shown plenty.
"He's had a special year," Votto said. "He's had a great start to his career. And the sky is the limit as far as his talent level."
Even with that praise, Votto said the Reds do not have enough mentors around De La Cruz and Stewart.
Before the game, Votto also talked about a moment at Wrigley Field from early in his own MLB career and the effect it had on him. He had earlier shared a message with Reds fans in a video posted to his Instagram story ahead of the broadcast, where he was working as an analyst.
Votto has also used his NBC appearances to revisit other parts of his career. In July, he explained on Sunday Night Baseball why he has never visited the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. He was also asked during his NBC debut on July 26 whether he ever pushed to move to the outfield, and he brought up a painful memory.
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