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Oneil Cruz’s 116.9 MPH Foul-Pole Homer Seals Pirates’ Win in Texas

The Statcast-best reading for 2026 highlights his breakout start.

Overview

  • Cruz crushed a ninth-inning, three-run shot off the top of the right-field foul pole at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, finishing a four-run rally in an 8-4 Pirates win over the Rangers.
  • Statcast measured the drive at 116.9 mph and 432 feet, making it the hardest-hit ball in MLB this season and the second-hardest at the park since it opened in 2020.
  • His swing registered an 87.0 mph bat speed, the fastest tracked for a Cruz home run since bat tracking began in 2023 and the third-fastest for a home run this season.
  • The blast was Cruz’s seventh of the year and it pushed his line to .286/.352/.551, helping Pittsburgh improve to 14-10.
  • Cruz already owns the Statcast-era top mark at 122.9 mph from 2025, and Wednesday’s shot adds to a profile defined by rare, measurable power.