Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz isn't just having a hot start to the season; he's rewriting the history books. Through the team's first 16 games, De La Cruz has achieved a power-speed combination unseen from a shortstop in over a century.

The 22-year-old phenom has launched five home runs and swiped five bases, making him the first MLB shortstop since 1900 to reach those marks so quickly. This rare blend of elite power and blistering speed is what makes De La Cruz one of the most electrifying players to watch, and it's fueling an incredible offensive surge for the Reds.

His stat line is staggering: a .281 batting average, 13 runs scored, 10 RBIs, and a career-best .924 OPS. While strikeouts remain part of his game, he's maximizing every bit of contact and using his elite athleticism to create havoc on the base paths, succeeding on five of six steal attempts.

Projecting his current pace over a full season leads to a mind-boggling possibility: a 50-home run, 50-stolen base campaign. Only Shohei Ohtani has ever achieved that milestone, highlighting the sheer historic potential of De La Cruz's start.

While maintaining this torrid pace for 162 games is a monumental challenge, De La Cruz has already cemented a unique place in baseball lore. For a player whose game is built on explosive highlights, this historic beginning is a clear signal that he's just getting started. The baseball world will be watching to see how far this incredible start can go.