Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton hits 119.9 mph home run, hardest-hit ball in majors this season
New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton reacts after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton hit a 119.9 mph home run Wednesday night against the Houston Astros, the hardest-hit ball in the majors this season.
In the third inning of New York’s 9-4 victory, Stanton pulled a 1-2 curveball from rookie starter Spencer Arrighetti into the second deck in left field at Yankee Stadium, just inside the foul pole.
The 447-foot drive came one night after Stanton rocketed a 118.8 mph homer off Justin Verlander in Tuesday’s 10-3 win over the Astros that manager Aaron Boone described as a 2-iron.
Houston Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti walks on the mound after giving up a home run to New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
“I don’t know,” Boone said when asked to describe Stanton’s homer Wednesday. “Just weird. Hashtag weird.”
It was Stanton’s third hardest-hit home run since Statcast tracking began in 2015. He launched a 121.7 mph drive off the bat against Texas in August 2018 — the big league record in the Statcast era — and a 121.3 mph shot at Washington in July 2020 that ranks second.
New York Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton hits an RBI double during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, May 3, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
The home run was also the fifth hardest-hit homer tracked by Statcast. Atlanta star Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a 121.2 mph shot last September at Dodger Stadium, and Yankees teammate Aaron Judge crushed a 121.1 mph drive in June 2017 against Baltimore.
Stanton’s solo shot gave New York a 5-1 lead, two batters after Judge opened the inning with his eighth home run.
It was the third time this season the duo went deep in the same game. The Yankees are 34-4 when Judge and Stanton homer in the same game, including the postseason.
“I feel like the night before he had the hardest hit in baseball,” Judge said. “Then he outdid himself again tonight. Just impressive. He’s staying through the baseball well, using the whole field. When he’s using the whole field, that’s when I know he’s locked in.
New York Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton follows through after hitting a RBI single in the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
“It’s been fun to watch him do his thing this year for sure, especially trying to bounce back after last year.”
New York Yankees’ Juan Soto celebrates with Aaron Judge, left, after hitting a two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Stanton is hitting .228 with eight homers and 20 RBIs. Last season, he missed two months with a hamstring injury and batted a career-low .191 with 24 homers and 60 RBIs as the Yankees finished 82-80 and barely avoided their first losing season since 1992.
Judge and Stanton homered after Juan Soto hit a two-run shot on the first pitch he saw in the first inning. It was the first time the power trio all went deep in the same game for the Yankees.
New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge gestures after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
“G, it’s just how hard he hit the ball is amazing,” Soto said. “You don’t see guys hitting balls 120 (mph) every day.”
New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge celebrates his home run as he crosses home plate past Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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