Tag Archives: PNC Park

Oneil Cruz Nabs Runner at Home Plate with Incredible 105.2 MPH Throw

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Oneil Cruz is armed and dangerous…

The 26-year-old Dominican professional baseball center fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates made a 105.2 mph throw to nab the Seattle Mariners‘ J.P. Crawford at the plate on Sunday, the second-hardest thrown ball to produce an outfield assist since Statcast started tracking in 2015.

Oneil Cruz“It was unbelievable, honestly, one of the best plays that I’ve seen live,” Pirates interim manager Don Kelly said. “To be able to make that going that way and across his body and throw back to home as accurate as it was, just an amazing play.”

It was one of few highlights for the Pirates, who were shut out by Seattle for a third straight game, losing 1-0.

The fastest throw from the outfield that produced an out in Major League Baseball‘s Statcast era was 105.5 mph by Aaron Hicks of the New York Yankees in 2016.

Cruz’s throw was the fastest of any kind by a Pirates outfielder. The one-hopper to the plate came as a surprise to Crawford, who did not slide on the play.

With one out in the first inning, the Mariners’ Jorge Polanco lined a single to left-center off All-Star right-hander Paul Skenes. Cruz ranged to his right, fielded it and threw on a line toward catcher Henry Davis.

The ball bounced directly into Davis’ mitt and he made the tag, much to Skenes’ surprise as he backed up the play behind the plate.

“Yeah, I had the best seat in the house. That was unbelievable,” said Skenes, who struck out 10 in five scoreless innings. “Henry played it perfectly, too. It feels lucky, but I know Henry and Oneil created luck for me there.”

The 6-foot-7 Cruz was already a Statcast hero of sorts.

In May, he had the hardest-hit ball since Statcast started tracking, a home run at PNC Park that left the bat at 122.9 mph and splashed into the Allegheny River.

Rowdy Tellez Agrees to $3.2 Million, One-Year Contract with Pittsburgh Pirates

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It’s all hand on deck for Rowdy Tellez.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a $3.2 million, one-year contract with the 28-year-old half-Mexican American professional baseball first baseman/designated hitter.

Rowdy Tellez Tellez can earn $800,000 in performance bonuses as part of the deal, which is pending a successful physical.

Tellez hit .215 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023. The left-handed Tellez is a career .233 hitter in six seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee.

The Pirates entered the offseason in need of help at first base. They began 2022 with Carlos Santana at the position before sending him to Milwaukee at the trade deadline. Connor Joe and Jared Triolo saw time at first, among others, over the final two months of the season.

Tellez should find the 21-foot-high Clemente Wall in right field at PNC Park inviting. He is a career .277 hitter at PNC Park, with 5 home runs and 20 RBIs in 21 games.

Tellez is the second significant addition by the Pirates during free agency. Pittsburgh acquired left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales from the Seattle Mariners last week