Stanton hits 122.2 mph rocket ... into DP
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Since Statcast was implemented in 2015, no one has hit the ball harder than Giancarlo Stanton, who frequently muscles up for triple-digit readings. However, it doesn’t necessarily always yield results.
Stanton tied his own Statcast record early in Monday night’s 8-6 Yankees victory in 11 innings over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium, driving a pitch from Carlos Hernández for a 122.2 mph rocket … that was turned into a double play in the second inning.
The missile hit the mound and bounced to second baseman Whit Merrifield, who flipped to shortstop Nicky Lopez to begin a 4-6-3 twin killing.
While with the Marlins in 2017, Stanton had a 122.2 mph single off the Braves’ Max Fried on Oct. 1.
Stanton has the top seven hardest-hit balls of the 2021 season. Monday’s 122.2 mph double play surpassed a 120.2 mph groundout on June 17 against the Blue Jays for the year’s hardest-hit ball.