The Record-Breaking Moment

Pittsburgh Pirates' powerhouse Oneil Cruz rewrote baseball history on May 25, 2025, launching a 122.9 MPH moonshot off Milwaukee Brewers' Logan Henderson at PNC Park. The Dominican slugger's third-inning leadoff blast sailed 432 feet into the Allegheny River, setting a new Statcast-era benchmark for exit velocity since the tracking system's 2015 debut.

Crushing Previous Records

Cruz's latest feat eclipsed:

• His own 122.4 MPH single (2022)
• Giancarlo Stanton's 121.8 MPH HR (2017)

The 25-year-old remained characteristically calm postgame: "Just focused on clean contact, not max power."

2025 Season Dominance

Cruz's Brewers demolition capped a three-game tear featuring:

• 3 home runs
• 2 game-winning hits
• 11 season HRs (team leader)
• 22 stolen bases

His 28.8 ft/sec sprint speed ranks among MLB's elite, complementing improved defensive metrics since transitioning to center field.

 

Brewers Rivalry Intensifies

Despite Milwaukee's 6-5 series-splitting win, Henderson acknowledged Cruz's threat: "He's a freight train. Executed fastballs become souvenirs." Cruz owns unique Brewers dominance:

• 6 career Allegheny River HRs (PNC Park record)
• First player with 3 HRs in 3-game Brewer series (2023)

 

Statcast Revolution

The milestone highlights Statcast's analytical impact:

• 97th percentile exit velocity
• 54.9% hard-hit rate
• Advanced metrics: launch angle, spin rate, xBA

MLB analyst David Adler notes Cruz's 95.5 MPH average exit velocity makes him a dark horse MVP candidate.

 

Future Outlook

At 25, Cruz combines:

• Freakish power (6'7" frame)
• Elite speed
• Defensive Versatility

With Pittsburgh pushing for playoffs, his dual-threat ability could redefine modern baseball excellence.

 

Source: MLB.com