TORONTO -- If it seems like Mitch Haniger is hitting the ball harder and higher in the first five weeks of the season, it's because it's true. The Mariners right fielder has seen one of the largest jumps in the Majors this season in Statcast™'s exit velocity and launch angle readings.
Haniger has an average exit velocity of 95 mph or more on 52.9 percent of his batted balls, a huge jump from 35 percent last season. Haniger's average exit velocity is the 15th-highest in the Majors.
At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Haniger isn't built like a big bopper.