/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63315542/usa_today_11368179.0.jpg)
The Yankees wasted no time in jumping out ahead of the Orioles on Thursday afternoon. With one out in the first inning, both Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton laced singles to put runners on the corners. That brought Luke Voit, the designated hitter and cleanup man, to the plate.
To the surprise of absolutely no one, Voit crushed a home run straight into Monument Park. He turned on an Andrew Cashner hanging slider and sent it a long way. According to Statcast, the ball had a 113 mph exit velocity and traveled 428 feet. You have to see it to fully appreciate the shot:
Well, that didn't take long.
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) March 28, 2019
Luke Voit HOMERS to start the season. pic.twitter.com/AeJG3EdQZh
From the bat drop to the celebration down the line, that’s peak Voit.
The 28-year-old has done nothing but rake since the Yankees acquired him last July. While it’s tough to envision him continuing the Ruthian run he went on down the stretch last year — 194 wRC+ in pinstripes — he could very well be a legitimate middle-of-the-order hitter. Jake recently examined this possibility, and today’s first inning keeps the idea in the back of everyone’s head.
For now, though, it’s worth just enjoying that home run. I suspect there will be many more where that came from.