Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton unleashed on a pitch Friday night sending the ball out of the park for a home run. On the night at PNC Park, Stanton had 3 RBIs in the Marlins 12-7 win over hosts the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The explosive home run leading off the third inning set a tone for the Miami offense for the night. The home run, estimated to have traveled 449 feet gave Miami a lead of 3-1. The towering drive to center was off Tyler Glasnow a right hander and cleared the green structure in center bouncing off the top of it.
Don Mattingly the manager of the Marlins said most people do not see Stanton’s raw power. He added that there were few players who can hit a baseball like Stanton did on Friday.
According to official stats the Friday home run by Stanton was his third longest of this season. Besides the projected 449 feet it traveled, the ball had an exit velocity of 110.5 mph, and its launch angle was 25 degrees.
It was home run No. 40 for Stanton that had an exit velocity of 110 mph or more, tops amongst players dating back to 2015. Nelson Cruz is next highest with 26.
Stanton at one point was down 1-2 to Glasnow, but the pitcher threw a change that was hit over 449 feet. Pirates’ centerfielder Andrew McCutchen only moved a few feet back before just watching Stanton’s home run, his 16th of the season, soar over his head.
Stanton is the defending Home Run Derby winner and is making a case for himself to play in the All-Star Game this season, which will be played on July 11 at Marlins Park. Along with his 16 home runs, Stanton already has knocked in 42 runs.
Stanton’s two longest homers of this year were May 7 against the Mets a ball that traveled 468 feet, and May 26 at home against the Los Angeles Angels a ball that traveled 460 feet.
Stanton is considered to be one of the game’s strongest players and as his towering long home runs add up, more people are taking notice.
