Today we’re going to kick off what has been a fun series in the past where we take a look back at the longest home runs hit by the Cincinnati Reds during the most recent season. We’ll be counting down the Top 10 for the 2021 season once a week until we get to spring training (if it starts on time – fingers crossed).
The 10th longest home run of the season in 2021 by a Red was on August 16th from Aristides Aquino. It was the 5th inning when The Punisher obliterated a pitch from Chicago Cubs reliever Michael Rucker.
The Video
The Metrics Behind The Blast
A 91.9 MPH change up from Michael Rucker came in fast (for a change up) and left in a hurry. 91.9 MPH in and 113.5 MPH out. During the big league season Rucker threw 211 pitches to right-handed hitters. Only four of them were change ups. He didn’t throw another change up to a right-handed hitter until October 2nd – his final appearance of the season. Aristides Aquino broke his mindset with the change up with this home run.
Distance Metrics
Distance: 442 Feet
Reds Rank: 10th (tie)
Major League Baseball Rank: 307th (tie)
Aristides Aquino Rank (2021): 1st
Other Metrics
Launch Angle: 21°
Exit Velocity: 113.5 MPH
Reds Exit Velocity Rank (home runs only): 2nd (tie) out of 222
MLB Exit Velocity Rank (home runs only): 111th (tie) out of 5935
The Story Behind The Blast
Chicago had brought Rucker in to replace starting pitcher Justin Steele in the bottom of the 5th inning. After back-to-back strikeouts to begin the inning, Rucker walked Eugenio Suárez and the old saying that walks will haunt held true this time as Aristides Aquino punished the ball into the night before ricocheting off of the upper deck in left-center. The home run extended the Reds lead to 4-0 and was the start of a rough night for Rucker who allowed four earned runs in just 2.0 innings on a night when Cincinnati blew out the Cubs 14-5.
You can follow along the entire series here