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Calls Mount For Oneil Cruz Extension After Historic Home Run

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zach Kaplan | Last updated May 25, 2025 5:33 PM ET

The Pirates haven't had much to boast about, with the main narrative surrounding yet another disappointing season with Paul Skenes in his prime.

Most of the ire from Pirates fans comes from the lack of bulk in their lineup, especially with Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds forming a reliable core. Reynolds signed the largest contract in franchise history, a eight-year, $106.75 million extension in 2022.

Speaking of extensions, Oneil Cruz just hit another ball to the moon and fans want owner Bob Nutting to pull out his checkbook.

Oneil Cruz hit a Logan Henderson fastball for a home run at 122.9 miles per hour, which is the hardest hit ball in the Statcast era.

Statcast tracking began in 2015, and Cruz's increasing bar for exit velocity has led to his name popping up all over leaderboards for the state-of-the-art tracking technology.

Cruz even was the previous owner of the Statcast exit velocity record, with a 122.4 miles per hour base hit on August 4, 2022 serving as the previous record. Prior to today, the largest exit velocity on a home run was Giancarlo Stanton's 121.7 mile per hour blast on August 9, 2018.

Fans sent in their disapproval that Cruz hasn't been extended yet.

"GIVE HIM ANYTHING HE WANTS, BOB!" one post read.

One fan posted a GIF that showed a blank check, setting up a signature presumably by Cruz.

Of course, other fans used this moment to express disapproval with the managing of the team, with one fan questioning why Cruz is leading off with his power potential.

Regardless, Cruz has been one of the sole bright spots in a disappointing season for the Pirates, and he continues to up his own ante.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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