PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Corey Dickerson's epic blast caught everyone's attention in Thursday afternoon's 10-3 Rays victory over the Orioles at Charlotte Sports Park.
Dickerson became the Rays' final piece in an offseason spent trying to improve the offense when they traded Jake McGee to the Rockies to get him. Since arriving, he has been opening his new teammates' eyes with his home runs. But the one he hit Thursday caused some double takes.
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In the second inning, with a man aboard, Dickerson connected on a 3-2 pitch from Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez. Everybody in the ballpark knew the ball was gone the second it left the bat. The ball continued to soar until it landed on the roof of the one-story building in right-center field. According to the Rays' public relations staff, the ball came to a stop 569 feet from home plate.
"That was impressive," Logan Morrison said. "I think he got into a good count, 2-0 and just fouled off a fastball, got on him a little bit. Same thing 3-1, and 3-2 he spread out a little bit and was able to get the head out, then did some damage."
Curt Casali noted, "I love the aggression he had on the swing."
"He looked like he was right on those first two hacks," Casali said. "Obviously he didn't get the piece of wood he wanted on it. It looked like he almost slowed himself down on it a little bit on a 3-2 pitch, knowing he was going to get one down the middle. That was an impressive ball flight for sure."

Added manager Kevin Cash, "Actually, he shortened up a little bit [swinging at that pitch]. I don't think we'll ever see the typical shortened-up swing, but if you looked at the first two pitches he swung at, he almost fell over. That was his shortened-up swing I guess, but it went a long way."
No big deal, according to Dickerson.

"I was trying to shorten up some, two-strike approach," Dickerson said. "I kind of wanted to see some pitches my second time at bat. I felt like I got a good pitch to hit. I tried to be short to the ball, and it worked out."
Dickerson made his bones hitting at Coors Field, one of the most offense-friendly ballparks in the Major Leagues. So Dickerson smiled when asked if his blast showed he could hit at sea level.
"Yeah, I just tried to have a good approach today," Dickerson said. "See some pitches. Make good solid contact. And that's what I'm looking for at the beginning of Spring Training. Just get some good pitches."
Dickerson said he got a kick out of the reaction in the dugout when he finished rounding the bases.
"They were pumped up," Dickerson said. "I think this team is really excited right now, and we're enjoying getting to know one another. We can't wait for the season to start. We've got a lot of excitement."