Pirates Oneil Cruz makes 105.2 mph throw to cut runner at plate

Pittsburgh Pirates centerfielder Oneil Cruz made headlines with a remarkable 105.2 mph throw from center field to home plate, resulting in an out against Seattle Mariners' J.P. Crawford. This throw is the second-hardest to produce an outfield assist since MLB's Statcast began tracking in 2016 and is the fastest throw by a Pirates outfielder in franchise history. The play took place during a game at T-Mobile Park, where Cruz fielded a single by Jorge Polanco and delivered a one-hop throw directly to catcher Henry Davis, who tagged out Crawford. Cruz, standing 6-foot-7, leads MLB in arm strength this season, averaging 98.6 mph on his outfield throws, well above the league average for center fielders. Besides his arm strength, Cruz also recorded the hardest-hit ball since Statcast tracking began, a 122.9 mph home run in May at PNC Park. Despite the Pirates’ 1-0 loss in the game, Cruz’s throw was widely praised as one of the best defensive plays seen in recent MLB history.