Carlos De La Cruz is a 27-year-old outfielder from Yonkers, New York, who has spent years grinding through the minor leagues chasing a big-league shot. Still in the Phillies organization, he’s shown flashes of real offensive potential — particularly with his power — while working to find the consistency that could finally push him to the top.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Carlos De La Cruz
- Position: Outfield
- Bats / Throws: Right / Right
- Height / Weight: 6’8″ / 207 lbs
- Born: October 6, 1999 — Yonkers, New York 🇺🇸
- Winter ball: Mayos de Navojoa (LMP, 2026–27)
- Number: 45
Background
De La Cruz came up through the Phillies’ minor league system as a right-handed hitter who understood from the start that every season counts. His development has been steady rather than spectacular — the kind of path that demands patience and resilience at every level.
Professional Career
His minor league journey has had real highs and real lows. In 2024, De La Cruz put together his best numbers to date with the Reading Fightin Phils in Double-A: a .262 average, 8 home runs, and a .768 OPS in 65 games. That same year he got a look at Triple-A with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, but struggled over 48 games — hitting just .190 with a .516 OPS — a reminder of how steep that next step can be.
In 2025, De La Cruz returned to Double-A with the Harrisburg Senators, playing 114 games and hitting .221 with 13 home runs and a .674 OPS. He also had a brief three-game cameo with the Rochester Red Wings at Triple-A without meaningful results. His power remains his best tool; the challenge has always been keeping the bat consistent enough to stick at the upper levels.
Winter Ball
The 2026–27 winter season with the Mayos de Navojoa in the Mexican Pacific League gave De La Cruz a chance to remind everyone what he can do when he’s locked in. In just 12 games, he went 15-for-46 (.326 average) with 1 home run, 9 RBI, and an .893 OPS — by far his sharpest numbers across any stint in recent memory.
Those winter figures matter. A hot run in Navojoa could be exactly the confidence boost he needs heading into spring. At 27, De La Cruz knows the window isn’t wide open forever — and a strong showing in the Pacific League could put him back in the Triple-A conversation with real momentum.
Winter Stats
- 2026–27 LMP · Mayos de Navojoa: 12 G | .326 AVG | 1 HR | 9 RBI | .893 OPS | 15 H
- 2023–24 LIDOM · Gigantes del Cibao: 4 G | .167 AVG | 0 HR | 0 RBI | .334 OPS | 1 H
One Thing Worth Knowing
De La Cruz has yet to make his MLB debut, but he’s already been around the Caribbean winter circuit. His 2026–27 campaign in Navojoa — .326 average, 15 hits, and an .893 OPS in 12 games — is the clearest sign yet that his offensive ceiling is real when he finds his rhythm.
