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Despite his promising start, De La Cruz's journey to the MLB was fraught with challenges. Born in the Dominican Republic in 2002, he began playing baseball at an early age. By six, he had moved away from his family to pursue his passion, joining a small league. As his talent blossomed, he moved to Santo Domingo at ten, training at the same academy as baseball stars like Juan Soto.
However, by 16, doubts plagued him. While many of his peers were signing contracts with major teams, De La Cruz was still waiting for his moment. Critics pointed to his physique; he lacked the muscularity that Scouts typically sought. Feeling that his dreams were slipping away, he nearly gave up on baseball.