Crushing It: 7 Players Hitting the Ball Harder Than Ever

In baseball, small adjustments can lead to big results. A subtle tweak to a stance, a new way of holding the bat, or a renewed focus on swing decisions can all lead to significant changes in a hitter's production. The ultimate goal for any hitter is to hit the ball hard, as Major Leaguers this season are batting a robust .480 with a .935 slugging percentage on hard contact (95 mph exit velocity or higher).

Here are seven players who have made major gains in their hard-hit rate this season.

Pete Alonso, Mets

Hard-hit rate: +5.9 points (46.4% to 52.3%)

Pete Alonso has always been known for his power, but his 52.3 percent hard-hit rate this season is a career-high. The increase is largely due to his fast-swing rate, which has jumped to 57.2 percent. This means when he makes contact, he's crushing the ball, leading to a .601 expected slugging percentage that is in the top 2 percent of the league. Alonso has credited some cleaned-up mechanics for the improvement, which has also helped him handle fastballs and breaking balls more effectively.

Randy Arozarena, Mariners

Hard-hit rate: +8.9 points (43.5% to 52.4%)

Randy Arozarena is having his best season since 2021, and it's no coincidence that he's hitting the ball harder than ever. While his bat speed is slightly down, he's squaring up the ball more often, resulting in a higher exit velocity. He's also swinging at more pitches in the zone and making contact at a higher rate, which has led to a career-high fly ball rate. The combination of hard contact and putting the ball in the air has him on pace to hit a career-high 32 home runs.

Byron Buxton, Twins

Hard-hit rate: +7.0 points (48.1% to 55.1%)

For Byron Buxton, the key to success has always been staying healthy. He's mostly stayed on the field this season and is hitting the ball with a career-high authority that ranks in the top 2 percent of MLB. This has led to his highest slugging percentage (.561) and OPS (.906) for a season in which he's played at least 85 games. Buxton's success comes from making more contact in the strike zone and chasing fewer pitches, a winning formula for any hitter.

Corbin Carroll, D-backs

Hard-hit rate: +8.7 points (40.8% to 49.5%)

Corbin Carroll's improvement is a combination of swinging harder and hitting the ball at better angles. He's increased his bat speed by 1.5 mph since his rookie season and has nearly doubled his attack angle, allowing him to put the ball in the air more often. The result? He's already just two homers away from tying his career high of 25.

Zach Neto, Angels

Hard-hit rate: +7.6 points (38.8% to 46.4%)

Zach Neto has improved as a hitter each year since his 2023 debut, becoming a serious home run threat for the Angels. This can be attributed to small adjustments in his stance and swing. He's moved up in the batter's box and increased his swing tilt, which has helped him make contact with the ball farther in front of the plate. "I’ve been getting my best swing off more often than I did last year," Neto told MLB.com. "Just hitting my pitch and not missing it."

George Springer, Blue Jays

Hard-hit rate: +9.3 points (37.4% to 46.7%)

After a string of injuries, George Springer is finally healthy and crushing the ball like never before. His hard-hit rate is the highest of his career, and his bat speed is up nearly 2.5 mph over last season. The result of these mechanical changes and improved health is an .889 OPS, his highest since 2021, and a pace to hit 25 home runs for the first time since 2022.

Brice Turang, Brewers

Hard-hit rate: +15.5 points (29.7% to 45.2%)

Brice Turang has seen the biggest improvement in hard-hit rate of any qualifying hitter, a massive jump of 15.5 points. He's made several small but impactful adjustments, including moving deeper in the batter's box, narrowing his stance, and re-incorporating a leg kick. These changes have helped him drive the ball with more authority, raising his OPS by nearly 60 points over last season and leading to a career-high eight home runs.