If you’ve been following in the footsteps of the captivating White Sox Yermín Mercedes and its incredible first week of the 2021 season, you’re probably wondering what’s in store for us.
How about hitting the roads home in outer space?
After Yoán Moncada started his attack on Royals on Thursday with a two-round homer, Mercedes hit a 485-foot homer from the left field at the Field Rate Rate.
The home run was the longest in a regular season game for the White Sox in the Statcast era (2015), defeating Avisaíl García’s 481-foot run in 2018. Cuban Luis Robert hit a 487-foot run. in Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series against Athletics.
Mercedes’ cannon shot against Brad Keller is the third longest in guaranteed field history, behind only Joe Borchard (504 feet vs. Phillies on August 30, 2004) and Frank Thomas (495 feet vs. twins) . July 23, 2002).
The match is the latest sign of the extraordinary moment for Mercedes, who was the first player of the week in the 2021 season after becoming the first player of the modern era to start a season hitting in his first eight bat-bats.