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Watch: Mariners' Julio Rodriguez blasts 109-mph homer
On Sunday, Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez reminded fans why he's one of the strongest sluggers in baseball.
At the top of the second inning against the Oakland Athletics, Rodriguez crushed an 88 mph pitch from Alex Wood for a 409-foot, two-run home run, giving Seattle a 5-0 lead. According to MLB's X account, the exit velocity of Rodriguez's homer was an astonishing 109 mph.
A 109-MPH rocket off the bat of Julio Rodríguez! pic.twitter.com/SmAL47X1aJ
— MLB (@MLB) May 12, 2024
The Mariners (21-19) are second in the American League West behind the Texas Rangers (22-19). Surprisingly, two-time Silver Slugger Rodriguez hasn't entered the zone. In 40 games, he has a .247 batting average, one home run, 11 RBI and a .591 OPS.
Mariners hitting coach Jarrett DeHart noted Rodriguez is focusing on improving his swing path, which should help him hit more home runs.
"Your swing path plays a big role," DeHart told The Seattle Times. "And Julio generally has a relatively steep swing path compared to most people. "He's steep getting into the (hitting) zone, and then he stays in the zone for a long time once he's there."
Perhaps the deep dinger signals Rodriguez is getting back on track, which would help Seattle. The Mariners are trying to make it back to the playoffs after missing the postseason in 2022. As of Sunday, FanDuel gives them the eighth-best World Series odds (+1800).
More must-reads:
- 1Q report: Takeaways from the quarter mark of the 2024 MLB season
- MLB stadiums of yesteryear we wish were still around
- The '2023 MLB home run leaders' quiz
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