It was almost a year ago to the day that we were buzzing about how Oneil Cruz threw a ball so fast from shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
But it’s time for a new record-holder for fastest infield throw. Elly De La Cruz is here, and after he’s beat out routine grounders, gone and stolen three bases in one at-bat and hit huge bombs, he’s now breaking the record Cruz — no relation — set.
On Sunday, he fielded a ball hit by Joey Wiemer fairly deep in the hole at third base. He then threw the fairly speedy Milwaukee Brewer out from there … and the throw was record at 97.9 MPH, which is the fastest infield assist in the Statcast era.
WOW.
Elly De La Cruz in his 33rd big league game just broke the record for the fastest recorded infield assist in the entire Statcast era!
97.9 MILES PER HOUR! 🔥⛽️🔥⛽️🔥pic.twitter.com/KiaBmH2Jji
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) July 16, 2023
This Elly De La Cruz 97.9 mph laser is the fastest-tracked infield assist in the Statcast Era, per @SlangsOnSports pic.twitter.com/Qu0f2b75dN
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 16, 2023