The Pittsburgh Pirates' center fielder didn't win the event, but he was by far the most entertaining batter to watch. On top of hitting a 500-foot home run, he produced exit velocities that simply couldn't be believed, routinely smashing balls over 115 miles per hour.
Well, Cruz may soon have some competition in the Steel City for the title of "biggest ball masher". Prospect Tony Blanco Jr. was invited to the Arizona Fall League's Home Run Derby, and he made good on the opportunity, hitting a home run at nearly 123 mph!
There has never been a harder hit ball recorded by Statcast than Tony Blanco Jr.