The Speedway Classic between the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves was supposed to highlight not just a key MLB matchup but also introduce one of the league’s rising stars—Elly De La Cruz. The Reds’ shortstop has quickly become a sensation. In his first two full seasons, he’s already been named an All-Star twice and is etching his name in the history books. De La Cruz became the fastest player to reach 300 hits, 150 RBIs, and 100 stolen bases, and is the first player since 1900 to log 115 extra-base hits and 115 steals in his first 300 games.
However, despite his incredible talent, De La Cruz’s exposure remains limited. The real issue isn’t his ability—it’s the lack of national visibility due to his team’s small-market status. The Cincinnati Reds, far from the big-spending teams like the Yankees or Dodgers, have struggled to return to prominence, with no playoff series wins since 1995.
During the Speedway Classic pregame show, MLB on Fox analysts—Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, and Alex Rodriguez—lavished praise on De La Cruz, but also shed light on a persistent challenge facing MLB: how to raise the profiles of stars in smaller markets.
A-Rod said, “Every element you appreciate about NASCAR, you can appreciate in De La Cruz. He could be the best player in MLB for the next 15 years.” Jeter added, “\[The Reds] need to make the postseason so the rest of baseball can see him.”
Ortiz, echoing the sentiment, remarked, “He’s fun to watch, but you don’t hear much about him because he’s not in a major market. If he played for a team like the Yankees or Dodgers, he’d be on TV every day. The most important thing—he’s a great kid.”
Jeter, stressing the importance of postseason exposure, said, “The Reds need to get into the postseason, whether this year or next, so the whole baseball world can watch him. Right now, he’s under the radar, but he’s someone everyone needs to see.”
Yet, despite all the hype, the Reds’ opportunity to showcase De La Cruz on a national stage during the Speedway Classic was thwarted by heavy rain, disappointing fans and leading to a lackluster event.
This situation highlights MLB’s ongoing dilemma: the vast divide between the small-market teams and the major franchises. The Reds’ payroll is less than a third of teams like the Mets or Dodgers, and this discrepancy complicates the league’s ability to build lasting fan investment in players like De La Cruz. Why would national fans invest in a star who might soon be playing for a wealthier team? Similarly, why would Reds fans, or fans of any small-market team, invest in a player who is likely to be poached by a big market team at the first opportunity?
While MLB could attempt to increase national TV exposure for teams like the Reds, the franchise’s current standing in the league makes it hard to take them seriously.
In contrast, the NFL and NBA have stars in places like Kansas City, Green Bay, and Oklahoma City, demonstrating that success isn’t reserved for large-market teams. Sadly, for MLB, the notion of equal opportunity for all teams—regardless of size—is increasingly seeming like anunattainable dream.