MIAMI -- Phillies catcher Jorge Alfaro does not have to swing hard to hit the ball a long way.
He took a nice, easy swing and crushed a two-run home run to center field in the second inning Monday night against Marlins right-hander Dan Straily at Marlins Park. The ball left Alfaro's bat at 108.5 mph and travelled a projected 433 feet, landing on top of the Marlins' famed multi-colored sculpture. The Phillies went on to lose, 8-4.
"His swing changes continue to play," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said. "Drives the ball as good as anybody."
Alfaro does not hit cheap home runs. His eight career homers have an average exit velocity of 108.9 mph, according to Statcast™. Only four batters have higher average exit velocities on homers since the beginning of last season (minimum five home runs): the Yankees' Christopher Austin (110.1 mph), Aaron Judge (110.0 mph), Giancarlo Stanton (109.7 mph) and the Padres' Franchy Cordero (109.5 mph).
Alfaro went 3-for-4 with one home run Friday against the Braves. The Phillies have been trying to get him to take more measured swings at the ball.