Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 31, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Elly De La CruzNL MVPCincinnati RedsShohei OhtaniHome runsStolen basesAll-Star seasonWAR

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz made the jump from promising rookie to superstar in his second season in the Majors, and finished top-10 in voting for National League Most Valuable Player released on Thursday.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani got all 30 votes following a season in which he became the first player to reach 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season, then helped the Dodgers beat the Yankees in the World Series.

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. EDLC finished eighth with 89 points, thanks to receiving four fourth-place votes.

The 22-year-old finished his All-Star season with a 5.2 WAR (wins above replacement), including an MLB-best 67 stolen bases and .809 OPS. EDLC had a .259 average, with 25 homers, 10 triples and 76 RBI. He became the first shortstop in MLB history with 25 or more home runs and 65 or more stolen bases in a season.

But De La Cruz also led MLB in strikeouts with 218 and errors with 29, in 160 games.