Giancarlo Stanton and Shohei Ohtani possess a statistic that sets them apart from all other players in Major League Baseball (MLB), solidifying their status as the most powerful players in the league.
Both players exhibit exceptional power at the plate, consistently hitting the ball with speeds exceeding 116 miles per hour (186 km/hr).
Despite being plagued by injuries this season, Stanton, who plays for the New York Yankees, holds the record for the most hits at such high speeds since 2021, with 10. On the other hand, Los Angeles Angels star Ohtani has achieved eight such hits.
While Stanton has only hit six home runs this season due to his injuries, Ohtani leads the league with 22 home runs, level with Pete Alonso, the first baseman for the New York Mets. When comparing their home run records at these speeds, Stanton's 10 and Ohtani's 8 far sur those of any other player in MLB. No other player in the league comes close to their power-hitting abilities.
Stanton's teammate, Aaron Judge, follows closely with five home runs recorded at speeds of 116 miles per hour or more.
Stanton holds the record for the most powerful home runs in MLB since the measurement of batting power began in 2015, thanks to Era Statcast.
One notable instance occurred on August 9, 2018, when Giancarlo Stanton, representing the Bronx Bombers, launched an incredibly powerful home run that rocketed at a speed of 121.7 miles per hour, reaching the second deck of Yankee Stadium, a remarkable distance of 483 feet from home plate.
Stanton also ranks second with a home run hit at a speed of 121.3 miles per hour on July 25, 2020, at Nationals Park against the Washington team.
As for Ohtani, his most powerful hit occurred on June 25, 2022, when he launched a majestic home run at a speed of 118.0 mph against the Seattle Mariners, sending the ball soaring 462 feet away from home plate. This places Ohtani's hit as the most powerful home run ever recorded by a left-handed hitter in MLB.