The GABP Paradox: Why Joey Votto Thinks Cincinnati's Dimensions Stifle Elly De La Cruz
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The baseball lifer's take: When a veteran like Votto claims a hitter's paradise is actually suppressing a generational talent's ceiling, you pay attention.
In the world of baseball, Great American Ball Park is known for one thing: being a friendly place for the long ball. But as Sports Illustrated first reported, Joey Votto, the former Cincinnati Reds first baseman, believes the smaller dimensions of the home park are actually doing a disservice to one of the most electric players in the game.
Speaking on *MLB Now*, Votto didn't mince words regarding shortstop Elly De La Cruz. Votto's take is bold: he believes De La Cruz has a legitimate case to be viewed as the best shortstop in baseball. This isn't just a teammate's platitude; Votto pointed to a combination of natural ability, a willingness to play through a leg injury to provide leadership, and a significant leap forward in development at the plate as the catalysts for this ascent.
However, the most intriguing part of Votto's analysis—and the part that should make any baseball junkie lean in—is his argument that Great American Ball Park is actually "not his friend."
**OPINION:** Most analysts look at a hitter's paradise and see an inflated OPS+ or a boost in home run totals. But Votto is looking at the game through a different lens. He is arguing that De La Cruz's specific toolset—namely, being the best runner in baseball—is being neutralized by the very park that is supposed to help hitters.
Votto explained on *MLB Now* that the park's layout suppresses De La Cruz's unique style. Specifically, Votto noted that the dimensions limit the number of triples De La Cruz can rack up. Furthermore, he argued that groundballs hit to the opposite side of a shortstop and second baseman rarely turn into doubles because of the park's configuration.
According to reporting from *Sports Illustrated*, Votto believes this environmental factor negatively impacts De La Cruz's ability to maximize his wRC+, OPS+, and ultimately his WAR. In Votto's view, a larger outfield would actually provide more opportunities for De La Cruz to utilize his elite speed for extra bases.
It is a counterintuitive argument, but it comes from a man who shared a clubhouse with De La Cruz during the shortstop's 2023 rookie season and understands the nuances of playing in Cincinnati. While the debate over who holds the title of the league's best shortstop will continue, Votto's insight suggests that the true ceiling for Elly De La Cruz might be even higher than the current numbers show—if only the fences were a little further back.