The hardest exit velocity ever recorded in MLB belongs to Oneil Cruz, who hit a single with an exit velocity of 122.4 mph.
Details of the Record-Breaking Hit
On August 24, 2022, Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz made history by hitting a single off Atlanta Braves pitcher Kyle Wright with an astonishing exit velocity of 122.4 mph. This powerful hit established a new benchmark for the hardest-hit ball since MLB's Statcast system began tracking such data. The ball was hit into right field at PNC Park, further cementing Cruz's reputation as one of the game's most exciting young talents with incredible raw power.
Significance in the Statcast Era
The 122.4 mph hit by Oneil Cruz is recognized as the hardest in the Statcast era, which officially began in 2015. Statcast is an advanced data collection system used by Major League Baseball to measure various aspects of player performance, including ball exit velocity, launch angle, sprint speed, and much more. This technology provides precise and objective measurements, making records set within this era particularly well-documented and verifiable. Before Statcast, exit velocity data was not collected with the same precision or widespread availability, making direct comparisons to pre-2015 hits challenging.
Here is a summary of the record:
| Player | Exit Velocity (mph) | Date | Type of Hit | Era |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oneil Cruz | 122.4 | August 24, 2022 | Single | Statcast Era |
This monumental hit by Oneil Cruz showcases the immense power present in today's game and stands as a testament to the capabilities of modern baseball analytics in tracking and verifying such feats.
