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Is there anything more fun than watching Bryce Harper demolish fastballs? If there is, it’s watching Bryce Harper destroy fastballs from New York Mets’ pitchers.
Harper got the Washington Nationals’ four-game set in Citi Field off to a good start with a solo HR off Mets’ righty Robert Gsellman, whose 3-1 sinker did. not. sink.
Harper unloaded on the pitch and sent a screamer out to right that hit the seats so hard it bounced back into the field of play.
Take a look for yourself:
A by @Bharper3407! The @Nationals lead 1-0. #MLBNShowcase pic.twitter.com/YaLTtGfcFk
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 15, 2017
According to Statcast, the exit velo on Harper’s 17th of 2017 was 116.3 mph, which MLB.com’s Andrew Simon noted was the hardest-hit homer in Harper’s career.
Bryce Harper just hit a ball harder than he ever has in the @Statcast Era (116.3 mph) on that home run. Out in the blink of an eye.
— Andrew Simon (@AndrewSimonMLB) June 15, 2017
Go ahead, watch it again:
This is what 116.3 mph looks like. #Crushed pic.twitter.com/17wZDSeolD
— MLB (@MLB) June 15, 2017