Oneil Cruz: The Dominican Cannon that Commands Respect in the Majors
The Dominican Oneil Cruz continues to demonstrate his power at the plate. In the most recent game, he hit a double that not only drove in runs, but also set a new standard of strength for the season. The hit, with an exit velocity of 119 miles per hour, became the most powerful recorded in Major League Baseball so far this season. The connection occurred in the fifth inning of the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.This achievement solidifies Cruz as one of the most feared hitters for his ability to connect the ball with great force.
Cruz has topped this type of statistic on several occasions. Since the implementation of the Statcast system in 2015, he holds the record for the hardest hit ball, with a connection of 122.9 mph. He also leads the categories of hit and home run with the highest exit velocity. The Pirates’ outfielder also holds the record for the most powerful double, with a 121.5 mph hit in 2024. In his career, Cruz has 13 connections with a speed of at least 119 mph, surpassed only by Giancarlo Stanton.With each at-bat, Cruz continues to demonstrate his quality as one of the most explosive hitters in baseball.
