WATCH: Oneil Cruz Hammers Mammoth Home Run in WBC
They’re gonna have to break out the tape measure for Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz in the World Baseball Classic.
Cruz, representing the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, hammered a three-run home run against Nicaragua, giving his team a 10-3 lead in the eighth inning. The blast measured a whopping 450 feet with an exit velocity of 116.8 mph to straightaway right field at loanDepot Mark in Miami.
It was the first plate appearance of the game for Cruz, who pinch hit for starting second baseman Ketel Marte.
Cruz appeared in 135 games for the Pirates last season and hit .200 with a .676 OPS, 18 doubles, three triples, 20 home runs, 61 RBI and 38 stolen bases last season. Though he’s never played in a postseason game for Pittsburgh, Cruz is no stranger to hitting home runs on the big stage after participating in last year’s home run derby and advancing to the second round.
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