‘That can be us’: With the best vibes in baseball, Reds serve as template for Nationals rebuild

The “vibes” — as rookie phenom Elly De La Cruz calls them — around the Cincinnati Reds these days can be hard to describe. But they’re evident when the first-year slugger steps to the plate with long, golden chains hanging around his neck. Or when old man Joey Votto smashes a home run in the stands of Nationals Park, and is greeted at home by De La Cruz — who’s there to celebrate with an elaborate handshake. 

Those vibes can be found out on the field, in the clubhouse and in the dugout — where players like Votto put on a Viking helmet and cape after every Cincinnati dinger.

No team arguably is in a better mood these days than the Reds, who have rocketed up the standings of a weak NL Central with an electric young core. Since June 1, Cincinnati holds the third-best record in baseball. They’re one of the hottest teams in MLB, as well as the flashiest. 

“These guys are silly,” Votto said. “And talented. And are getting better.” 

As the Nationals’ four-game stand against the Reds wraps Thursday, Cincinnati suddenly serves as an inspiration and road map for Washington’s rebuild. This season, the Reds have emerged as possible contenders in part because of the rise of prospects like Spencer Steer (4-of-4 in Tuesday’s game), Matt McLain and De La Cruz — the latter of whom has captured MLB’s attention with his blazing speed and powerful bat since making his Major League debut June 6.

Through 25 games entering Wednesday’s action, the 21-year-old De La Cruz has hit for .308 with three home runs and 13 RBI. His first home run of the season, crushed for 458 feet, went so far that play-by-play man John Sadak shouted, “Oh goodness! That ball had a family!” And then in his 15th game, the 6-foot-5 slugger became the youngest player in 51 years to hit for the cycle. 

The Reds are 20-6 since De La Cruz’s debut — posting a record behind only the Atlanta Braves (22-4). 

“It’s just a unique experience, especially with the team that we have right now,” De La Cruz said through an interpreter. “We have very good vibes going on in the clubhouse. … It feels like everyone’s united and everyone’s just trying to help each other out. That’s what kind of puts the team together.”

It wasn’t always like this for the Reds. In Votto’s 17-year career, for instance, the Reds have been under .500 entering July on 10 occasions. Cincinnati has only made the playoffs four times in that span, with only two postseason wins. 

Votto hasn’t played a lot of meaningful baseball throughout his career, which is why he might be the most thrilled player on the roster — even if he likes to jokingly hide his enthusiasm. “I’ve got a dirty little secret: I actually can’t stand baseball, so every day is a nightmare for me,” the 39-year-old deadpanned.

The Reds, too, have shown that a rebuild can click faster than expected. Just last season, Cincinnati finished 62-100. Baseball Prospectus, known for its preseason predictions, projected the Reds to finish with just 66 wins in 2023. Instead, the Reds are already 47-39 — a game up over the Milwaukee Brewers for their division. 

“You kind of just see them on MLB Network, doing their thing, whether it’s De La Cruz stealing bases and hitting the ball 150 mph, or Matt McLain or Spencer Steer hitting bombs,” Nationals pitcher Josiah Gray said. “They’re a good ball team and with the right pieces in place that can be us down the road.”

In an alternate timeline, perhaps Gray might have been part of the Reds’ ascension. After all, the 25-year-old was drafted by Cincinnati in the second round of the 2018 draft. But the Reds traded him that winter to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who flipped Gray and catcher Keibert Ruiz in 2021 to the Nationals.

But with the Nationals, Gray said he thinks the success of teams like Baltimore and Cincinnati gives Washington “a positive feeling” as those relied on the development of young stars. “It definitely gives you confidence,” he said.

The Reds aren’t lacking in confidence. Manager David Bell said Monday that the chemistry of his ball club, and how well they’ve managed to play, has been something “you dream about.” 

He noted the group’s closeness, which can be observed in how De La Cruz waited for Votto to cross home plate. Votto’s home run against the Nationals snapped an 0-for-21 rut and De La Cruz was there to dap him up.

“Just a couple of 21-year-olds celebrating, doing all kinds of cool (stuff),” Votto said. “You’ll see it on TikTok at some point.”