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MLB’s exit velocity kings: The 20 hardest-hit balls in 2021

By Kevin Henry

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 11, 2021 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Mets 8-7. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 11, 2021 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Mets 8-7. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso
May 17, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) hits a single against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Which Major League Baseball players put the ball into play with the highest exit velocity in 2021? Let’s take a look at the leaders making up the top 20 overall on the exit velocity list from both the American League and National League.

These are the Major League Baseball players who hit the ball the hardest and led the highest exit velocity parade in 2021

As a note, all data for this article was taken from BaseballSavant.MLB.com.

20. Giancarlo Stanton, June 9 vs. Minnesota Twins, 118.3 mph

We’ll start the list at number 20, with a name you will see a lot in this ranking: Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees. In fact, Stanton has 13 of the 20 hardest-hit balls on record for 2021.

In the video below, Stanton takes an 0-1 pitch from Twins pitcher Randy Dobnak to left field for a double. And, yes, just over 118 mph in exit velocity is where we start the list.

19 (tie). Pete Alonso, August 19 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 118.4 mph

While Alonso may be the Home Run Derby champion, he gets on this list for a smoking single he hit off Corey Knebel of the Dodgers. Interestingly, Alonso’s hit you can see in the video below is one of only two produced by a National League player on this list.

19 (tie). Aaron Judge, September 26 vs. Boston Red Sox, 118.4 mph

If you’re going to hit a ball really hard, is it more satisfying to do it against your arch rival? That’s a question that could be asked of Aaron Judge, who makes the list of the 20 hardest hit balls of the season on three occasions. He joins his teammate Stanton as the only players to make the list more than once.

Here’s the first entry from Judge, a double off Boston reliever Adam Ottavino. Note that the Red Sox missed two golden opportunities to retire Judge before his double.

17. Giancarlo Stanton, September 21 vs. Texas Rangers, 118.5 mph

The first home run on our list, Stanton takes an 0-1 slider from Texas pitcher Dane Dunning over the left field wall. It doesn’t take long for the ball to travel 415 feet.

16 (tie). Franchy Cordero, May 23 vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 118.6 mph

Zack Wheeler was one of the most dominant pitchers in the National League this season, finishing second in the NL Cy Young Award balloting. However, Boston’s Franchy Cordero shows on this home run blast that even the finest pitchers can miss their mark from time to time.

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