In a thrilling display of power, Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates hit a home run with an exit velocity of 116.9 mph, marking it as the hardest-hit ball in Major League Baseball for the current season. The home run, which traveled 432 feet, came during the fifth inning of the game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas. Despite struggling earlier in the game with three strikeouts, Cruz's pivotal hit contributed to the Pirates' 8-4 victory. Pirates manager Don Kelly praised the hit, noting its extraordinary nature as it struck the top of the right-field foul pole. Cruz's previous record for the hardest-hit ball in the Statcast era stands at 122.9 mph, achieved in May 2025. Reflecting on his performance, Cruz expressed confidence, having told teammate Marcell Ozuna he would hit a home run before stepping up to the plate.