For all the eye-opening things he can do in the batter’s box during games, some of Oneil Cruz’s most awe-inspiring shots have come during batting practice. Whether it is hitting the third deck in multiple ballparks or the truck at American Family Field,

Also competing are Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr., Minnesota’s Byron Buxton, Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and Washington’s James Wood.“I’m really, really happy just because that’s what I do,” Cruz said in Kansas City.

Like Cruz, the former first-round pick knows the weight of expectation when you struggle as a high-profile prospect and cornerstone of the organization's building plan. Like Cruz, at nearly 6-foot-4, Tucker knows the swing path issues that can accompany a wiry frame with long levers in the batter's box.

Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz accepted an invitation on Tuesday to compete in Monday's Home Run Derby in Atlanta.

But beyond the perfectly placed throw, the Statcast reading grabbed the baseball world's attention. Cruz hit 105.2 mph on the throw from center field to home, coming just short of the all-time Statcast record. Aaron Hicks hit 105.5 mph on a throw with the Yankees in 2016.

Pittsburgh Pirates CF O'Neil Cruz made MLB Statcast history when he threw out a Mariners runner at home plate on Sunday, July 6. Watch the play here.

The Pittsburgh Pirates' star centerfielder proved that in a big way on Sunday. Needing to uncork maybe the most perfect outfield throw in baseball history to cut down a runner at home plate, that's what Cruz did. He unleashed a 105.2 mile per hour laser on one hop to his catcher for a tag out.

Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz had his best moment in the outfield so far in the recent outing vs. the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile P

The Home Run Derby is less than a week away, which means that now is the perfect time to make some wild predictions about what is going to take place at Truist