Bryan De La Cruz Bio
Bryan Starling De La Cruz, born December 16, 1996, is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Atlanta Braves. De La Cruz signed with the Houston Astros as an international free agent in 2013, and made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Marlins.
Early Life and Background
Bryan Starling De La Cruz was born on December 16, 1996, and grew up in the Dominican Republic, a country that has produced generations of Major League Baseball talent. From a young age, he was drawn to the sport, eventually pursuing the path that many Dominican prospects follow by seeking an opportunity to sign with a Major League organization.
De La Cruz entered professional baseball through the international free agent market, a common route for young Dominican players. His signing with the Houston Astros on September 24, 2013, marked the formal start of his career in organized baseball, and he received a $170,000 signing bonus as part of that agreement.
Path to Baseball
De La Cruz began his professional career in 2014 with the Dominican Summer League Astros, where he hit .262/.387/.317 with one home run and 22 runs batted in (RBI) over his debut season. The following year, he moved to the Gulf Coast League Astros, posting a .242/.313/.268 line with 12 RBI, and he continued to develop at the lower levels of the Astros’ minor league system.
In 2016, De La Cruz split the season between the Greeneville Astros and the Tri-City ValleyCats, batting a combined .239/.331/.396 with three home runs and 18 RBI. He returned to Tri-City in 2017 while also spending time with the Quad Cities River Bandits and the Corpus Christi Hooks, hitting a combined .244/.290/.335 with two home runs and 21 RBI.
De La Cruz’s offensive profile strengthened in 2018, when he played for Quad Cities and the Buies Creek Astros, batting a combined .289/.367/.375 with two home runs and 62 RBI. In 2019, he split time between the Fayetteville Woodpeckers and Corpus Christi, posting a combined .280/.340/.428 line with eight home runs and 43 RBI. He did not play in 2020 because the Minor League Baseball season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. De La Cruz opened 2021 with the Sugar Land Skeeters, hitting .324/.362/.518 with 12 home runs and 50 RBI over 66 games before being traded to the Marlins later that summer.
Bryan De La Cruz Career
Houston Astros and Minor Leagues (2014–2021)
De La Cruz spent his first seven professional seasons in the Houston Astros organization, working his way from the Dominican Summer League up to the Triple-A Sugar Land Skeeters. Across multiple levels, he showed steady offensive development, particularly in power production, finishing his 2021 minor league stint with a strong .324 average and 12 home runs in 66 games.
His performance in the Astros’ system made him a notable prospect, and on July 28, 2021, the Astros traded De La Cruz and Austin Pruitt to the Miami Marlins in exchange for reliever Yimi García. The trade moved him closer to the major leagues, and within two days he received his first call-up to the big leagues.
Miami Marlins (2021–2024)
On July 30, 2021, the Miami Marlins selected De La Cruz’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut that night against the New York Yankees. On August 13, he hit his first career grand slam off Chicago Cubs starter Adbert Alzolay. In 58 games during his rookie campaign, he batted .296 with five home runs and 19 RBI.
De La Cruz made the Marlins’ Opening Day roster for the 2022 season and played 115 games for Miami, slashing .252/.294/.432 with 13 home runs and 43 RBI. In 2023, he appeared in 153 games for the Marlins, batting .257/.304/.411 with career highs in home runs (19) and RBI (78), establishing himself as a regular contributor in the outfield.
De La Cruz played in 105 contests for Miami in 2024, hitting .245/.289/.417 with 18 home runs, 51 RBI, and three stolen bases. At the time of his trade, he was the Marlins’ season leader in both home runs and RBI, a testament to his offensive role on the team.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2024)
On July 30, 2024, the Marlins traded De La Cruz to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Jun-Seok Shim and Garret Forrester. In 44 games for Pittsburgh, he slashed .200/.220/.294 with three home runs, 17 RBI, and two stolen bases. On November 22, the Pirates non-tendered De La Cruz, making him a free agent.
Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees (2024–2025)
On December 15, 2024, De La Cruz signed a one-year, major league contract with the Atlanta Braves. De La Cruz made 16 appearances for Atlanta in 2025, batting .191/.240/.213 with one stolen base. On May 1, 2025, De La Cruz was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees and assigned to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. He was designated for assignment by the Yankees on July 31, cleared waivers, and was sent outright to Scranton on August 3. On October 10, De La Cruz elected free agency.
Philadelphia Phillies Era (2025–Present)
On November 6, 2025, De La Cruz signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, returning to an MLB organization as he continued his professional career. The agreement signaled a fresh opportunity to compete for a major league roster spot in the Phillies’ system.
Notable Events and Milestones
De La Cruz’s first career grand slam on August 13, 2021, off Adbert Alzolay of the Chicago Cubs stands as one of his signature early moments. His 2023 season with the Marlins produced career highs of 19 home runs and 78 RBI, and at the time of his 2024 trade to Pittsburgh, he led Miami in both home runs and RBI.
Bryan De La Cruz Career Wins
As an outfielder, De La Cruz’s offensive milestones include his first MLB grand slam, three seasons of double-digit home run totals with the Marlins, and a 2023 career-high 19 home runs. He posted a .296 batting average in his 2021 rookie campaign, the highest of any of his MLB seasons to date.
Bryan De La Cruz Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Bryan Starling De La Cruz’s immediate family is limited. His middle name, Starling, and his Dominican heritage reflect the cultural background that has shaped his path to professional baseball.
Personal Life
De La Cruz’s early years in the Dominican Republic laid the foundation for his career in professional baseball, and he has continued to compete at the highest levels of the sport across multiple organizations.
2025 Season Performance
De La Cruz began 2025 with the Atlanta Braves after signing a one-year major league contract on December 15, 2024. In 16 appearances for Atlanta, he batted .191/.240/.213 with one stolen base before being designated for assignment, a stretch that limited his major league opportunities early in the year.
On May 1, 2025, De La Cruz was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees and assigned to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. He worked his way through the Yankees’ system before being designated for assignment on July 31, clearing waivers, and being sent outright to Scranton on August 3. On October 10, he elected free agency, opening the door for his next chapter.
On November 6, 2025, De La Cruz signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, positioning himself to compete for a spot in the Phillies’ outfield mix. The agreement provided a fresh opportunity to return to a major league organization and continue his career in the Phillies’ system.