The Definitive List Of Elly De La Cruz Nicknames: From 'La Cocoa' To The Controversial 2025 Moniker
Few players in Major League Baseball history have burst onto the scene with the sheer, unbridled kinetic energy of Elly De La Cruz. The Cincinnati Reds shortstop is a true five-tool anomaly, a player whose blistering speed, raw power, and cannon arm have made him an instant sensation, leading to a vibrant and constantly evolving collection of nicknames from fans, media, and even himself. This article, updated for the current 2025 MLB season, dives deep into the true origins of his most personal moniker, the fan-favorite titles, and the latest—and most controversial—name that has emerged from his recent defensive struggles.
As of December 19, 2025, Elly De La Cruz remains one of the most polarizing and exciting players in the sport, a lightning rod of talent and chaos. His nicknames are a direct reflection of this duality, capturing everything from his electrifying athleticism to the growing pains of a young superstar. Understanding these monikers is key to understanding the phenomenon that is EDLC.
Elly De La Cruz: Up-to-Date Player Biography and Profile
Elly Antonio De La Cruz is a Dominican professional baseball shortstop whose rare combination of tools has made him a face of Major League Baseball’s youth movement.
- Full Name: Elly Antonio De La Cruz
- Date of Birth: January 11, 2002
- Age (as of Dec 2025): 23
- Birthplace: Sabana Grande de Boyá, Dominican Republic
- Height: 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm)
- Weight: 200 lbs (90 kg)
- Position: Shortstop (SS), also plays Third Baseman (3B)
- Bats/Throws: Switch-Hitter / Right
- MLB Debut: June 6, 2023
- Team: Cincinnati Reds (Jersey No. 44)
- Key Attributes: Elite speed (often clocked as the fastest runner in MLB), immense raw power, and a triple-digit throwing velocity from the infield.
The Official Nickname: The Curious Case of 'La Cocoa'
While many players are branded by the media, De La Cruz’s primary and most personal nickname comes directly from his past, and he has fully embraced it. This is the name he uses on his social media and the one he often wears on custom apparel.
What Does ‘La Cocoa’ Mean?
The literal Spanish translation of "La Cocoa" is "The Cocoa" or "The Cacao Bean." While it may seem like an unusual moniker for a baseball player, its origin is deeply personal and cultural. The term is often used affectionately in the Dominican Republic, and the nickname was originally given to him by a childhood friend.
The nickname has become so integral to his brand that he has been featured in MLB promotional spots where he voiced a Claymation version of himself, which was, not coincidentally, named "La Cocoa."
The context suggests it’s a term of endearment, perhaps referencing his smooth, dark complexion or simply an inside joke that stuck, but its adoption by the player himself makes it his true, self-proclaimed identity in the baseball world. He has been seen walking through the Reds clubhouse wearing a shirt featuring his face and the "La Cocoa" nickname.
The Media and Fan-Driven Nicknames: Celebrating the Chaos
Elly De La Cruz’s unique skill set—especially his world-class speed and power—has inspired a host of creative nicknames from commentators, fans, and baseball writers. These monikers often focus on his "out-of-this-world" athleticism, which seems to defy the laws of physics.
The Top 5 Alternative EDLC Nicknames
These names are frequently used across social media, broadcasts, and fan discussions, highlighting the different facets of his game:
- Cruz Missile: This is arguably the most common media-friendly nickname, a simple yet powerful play on his last name and the incredible velocity of his throws from the shortstop position, which can exceed 100 mph. It also references his blistering speed around the bases.
- El Unicornio (The Unicorn): This moniker is a nod to his generational, five-tool talent—a combination of skills so rare that a player with his blend of speed, power, and arm strength is considered mythical or one-of-a-kind.
- Elly-en: A clever portmanteau of "Elly" and "Alien." This nickname suggests his abilities are literally not of this world, a common theme for players who seem to possess superhuman traits on the field.
- Señor Flash: A reference to the DC Comics superhero, The Flash, this name is purely about his speed. De La Cruz has consistently been ranked as the fastest player in MLB, making this a highly appropriate and popular title.
- Super Sayian Forty Four Loko: A more outlandish, fan-generated nickname that combines three elements: the powerful transformation from the Dragon Ball Z anime ("Super Sayian"), his jersey number ("Forty Four"), and a reference to the high-energy alcoholic beverage ("Loko"), symbolizing his chaotic and explosive energy on the field.
The Controversial 2025 Moniker: When Nicknames Turn Critical
The 2025 MLB season brought a new, less flattering, and more controversial nickname into the conversation, driven by a specific statistical trend: his defensive miscues. While his offensive production remained electric, his defense at shortstop became a significant point of criticism.
Throughout the 2025 season, Elly De La Cruz struggled with consistency in the field, leading the league in errors. By mid-season, the number of defensive errors had climbed to 17, sparking heated discussions on social media and among Reds fans.
The resulting "new moniker" from fans, though not a single, universally agreed-upon name in the search results, centered on his defensive unreliability, with many fans and commentators referring to him as a "defensive liability" or using terms that highlight his propensity for errors. The discussion itself—the fact that his defensive struggles led to a new, critical identity—is the most important, fresh, and unique entity to emerge from the 2025 season. It represents the duality of a young superstar: the exhilarating offense versus the frustrating defense.
This critical nickname serves as a reminder that a player’s identity is constantly shaped by their performance. For De La Cruz, the goal for the remainder of 2025 and beyond is to solidify his defense, silencing the critical monikers and allowing the positive ones—like "La Cocoa" and "Cruz Missile"—to define his legacy as a true "Unicorn" of the sport.
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