The 5 Hardest-Hit Home Runs So Far This Season

Springer's Foul Pole Punisher

The Bomb

The Components

On a 2-1 count against the second batter of the game, Justin Verlander tried to get a 91 mph fastball over for a strike on the inner half of the plate. Needless to say, not the best idea, man.

George Springer sure wasn't looking to let Verlander get even in the count, especially with a guy already on first base with nobody out. Instead of waiting for a pitch to extend on, Springer rotated and turned on the pitch to send it down the left-field line into the foul pole at Minute Maid Park.

Springer's line shot, with a launch angle of 20 degrees, left the bat at a ridiculous 115.9 mph and would've covered an estimated 406 feet had it not banged off of the yellow pole.

It wasn't the longest homer of the year, but it sure got out immediately, something that shouldn't come to Verlander's (or our) surprise.

In 2016, Springer has a wOBA of .495 and a Weighted Runs Created-Plus (wRC+) of 219 when hitting the ball to left field. Compare that to his .400 and .313 wOBA's and 154 and 95 wRC+'s to center and right, respectively, and you understand why going inside corner was an ill-conceived move for the veteran pitcher.

But, if you ask Springer, I'm sure he'd be happy to take another, and another, and another right where he likes it.