The Top 5 Hardest Hits During the Twins’ 2023 Season

As a collective, the Twins showcased some of the most powerful hits in the league last year. They secured the fifth spot in average exit velocity at 89.4 MPH, owing to the American League’s leading barrel rate at 6.4%. This intentional offensive strategy, geared towards maximizing power, resulted in setting the all-time strikeout record.

Amidst this, individual players demonstrated remarkable feats of impactful hitting. Let’s delve into the top five hardest-hit balls by Twins hitters in 2023, based on Statcast’s exit velocity metric.

1. Ryan Jeffers, May 29th: 117.4 MPH (Home Run)
The pinnacle of hard hits in the 2023 Twins season occurred in a pivotal moment, as Jeffers launched a rocket in a crucial game against the Astros in Houston. With the Twins trailing by one in the ninth, Jeffers, on the very first pitch of the 10th inning, hammered a game-winning home run. This marked the hardest-hit ball by any Twins hitter during the Statcast era (dating back to 2015).

Ryan Jeffers sends a LASER to left field and the #MNTwins take a 7-5 lead in the 10th! pic.twitter.com/uW1nAN1sfV

— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) May 29, 2023

2. Byron Buxton, August 1st: 116.9 MPH (Double)
In a noteworthy finale to his regular-season play, Buxton showcased his elite power by producing the second-highest exit velocity of any Twins hitter in 2023. This remarkable hit, a double off a 94-MPH fastball, underscored Buxton’s ability to be a game-changer.

Byron Buxton off John King
🔥 116.9 mph, 16°
Double 2️⃣ (.826 xBA)#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/KNcG4K9Dvp

— 💥MLB Barrels 💥 (@mlb_barrels) August 2, 2023

3. Matt Wallner, September 24th: 116.4 MPH (Double)
The rookie wasted no time displaying his impressive power, recording the highest exit velocity on September 24th against Angels reliever Jose Marte. His low-sailing line drive reached the wall for a double, showcasing Wallner’s exceptional power as a big-leaguer.

4. Ryan Jeffers, August 5th: 115.8 MPH (Home Run)
Jeffers reappears on the list with another powerful home run, emphasizing his strength as a hitter. This particular blast, clearing the left field wall, highlighted Jeffers as a formidable asset, especially given his position as a catcher.

Ryan Jeffers off Tyler Gilbert
🔥 115.8 mph, 20°
Home Run 💣 (.946 xBA)#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/cYJaOxdwFn

— 💥MLB Barrels 💥 (@mlb_barrels) August 6, 2023

5. Byron Buxton, May 15th: 115.1 MPH (Double)
Despite being limited to 85 games and exclusive DH duty due to a challenging knee condition, Buxton secured two of the top five hardest hits for Twins players in the 2023 season. On May 15th, he lashed a game-tying RBI double off Dodgers closer Evan Phillips, showcasing his undeniable raw power.

These extraordinary displays of bat-to-ball impact reflect the Twins’ commitment to a power-driven offensive approach in the 2023 season.

Do you have a preferred display of hitter prowess from the 2023 Twins? If it’s not covered here, feel open to sharing your favorite in the comments.