Oneil Cruz Nearly Sends Ozzie Albies to the IL with a Blistering Line Drive
There’s hard contact in baseball—and then there’s what Oneil Cruz does. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ towering shortstop has a well-earned reputation for hitting baseballs with jaw-dropping velocity, and his latest effort nearly turned Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies into collateral damage.
Cruz led off the game against Braves starter Bryce Elder and wasted no time making his presence felt. Elder’s 91 mph sinker was met with a ferocious swing, sending the ball screaming off Cruz’s bat at an absurd 117.6 mph. The line drive was so fast and so direct that Albies only had time to take one step to his right before instinctively ducking to avoid potential disaster.
Luckily, Albies got a piece of his glove on the ball, which may have slightly slowed it down—just enough to avoid injury. Still, the sheer speed of the hit made it virtually impossible to react in time, and Albies is undoubtedly relieved that he escaped unharmed from what could have been a scary moment.
Albies Shows Off Some Serious Dodgeball Reflexes
If Ozzie Albies ever needs a side gig, dodgeball might be calling. His ability to “dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge” was on full display as he reacted instinctively to avoid taking the full brunt of Cruz’s missile. Whether it was subconscious reflex or elite athleticism, Albies made a split-second decision that may have saved him from a trip to the injured list—or worse.
The Braves had just arrived in Pittsburgh after a late night celebrating a walk-off victory, and there’s no better wake-up call than nearly wearing a 118 mph line drive. Facing Cruz is always a challenge, but this hit served as a vivid reminder of the raw power he brings to the plate.
According to Statcast, Cruz ranks in the 100th percentile for average exit velocity, boasting an eye-popping 96.1 mph mark. Few players in baseball can match his ability to generate such force with each swing, making him a constant threat at the plate.
Containing Cruz Will Be Critical for Braves Pitching
Keeping Cruz under control will be a key focus for Atlanta’s pitching staff throughout this series. His elite tools—especially his exit velocity—make him one of the most dangerous hitters in the league. If the Braves want to come out on top in this matchup against the Pirates, they’ll need to find a way to induce softer contact and avoid more Cruz-style rockets.
Let’s hope for everyone’s sake, especially the infielders’, that the Cruz line drive to open the game ends up being the hardest-hit ball of the series. Because if that’s just the beginning, the Braves might want to invest in extra padding—or at least better gloves.
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