Fansided

Manny Machado hits longest home run of the 2017 season

By Joshua Sadlock

Apr 28, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) follows through on a two run double against the New York Yankees during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) follows through on a two run double against the New York Yankees during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Manny Machado unloaded for the longest home run to date in the 2017 MLB season.

Entering the Baltimore Orioles’ 21st game of the season, All-Star third baseman Manny Machado had been mired in a slump. He entered the game batting .205/.306/.370 with three home runs and 10 RBI. Machado, however. had one of the highest average exit velocities in baseball at 96.2 mph, which certainly does not align with his .218 batting average on balls in play.

It was only a matter of time before the rest of the league would pay, and CC Sabathia was the first victim on Friday night. Machado led off the fifth inning with the longest home run in Major League Baseball so far this season.

Machado sent the 2-2 pitch from Sabathia to deep center field, smashing off the Yankee Stadium cafe above Monument Park. All Jacoby Ellsbury could do was watch.

Earlier in the game, Machado doubled in two runs to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead. Through the fifth inning of the game, he is 3-for-3 with three RBIs, raising his batting average over 30 points to .237.

Manny Machado is one of the best players in the league, and it was only a matter of time before he broke out and took his revenge on the rest of MLB. The Yankees and CC Sabathia, who was off to a great start, were the first victims. Machado has made some of the hardest contact in the league so far this year, but had very little to show for it. When his actual results begin evening out, the doubles and home runs will begin piling up.

Next: Why can't Kevin Gausman take the next step

The Orioles are off to a 14-6 start this year, but the offense has not yet heated up and ranks near the bottom of the league. If Manny Machado breaks out of his early slump, as Baltimore fans have been anticipating for weeks, this scary offense will keep them in first place in the loaded AL East.

Home/Baltimore Orioles