If you follow the Cleveland Guardians’ farm system or if you tuned in during the ninth inning of Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, you know that Jhonkensy Noel boasts what scouts call game power.
He has the ability to hit home runs in bunches: he accumulated 32 in 2022, 27 in 2023, and 31 last year between Triple-A and the majors.
However, his raw power might be even more impressive.
Raw power is basically how far or hard a player can hit a baseball.
Evidently, game power is the one that makes a difference in games, but raw power can improve a player’s chances of logging a hit, an extra-base hit, or a homer.
Noel’s raw power is off the charts, probably close to the elite in MLB.
There is a spring training stat that puts him at the top in this specific discussion.
+110 MPH Batted Ball Leaders
2025 Spring TrainingBig Christmas bangs! pic.twitter.com/kBmm2W2DO8
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) March 16, 2025
Nobody in baseball has more balls hit at 110 mph or harder than Noel’s five, per researcher Thomas Nestico.
If you don’t think this is important, we would suggest trying to field one of these.
Hint: it’s not easy at all.
This is exactly why hitting the ball as hard as possible is so important: if the batter lifts one of these, it’s almost guaranteed to leave the park.
If the launch angle isn’t ideal but it’s still a low line drive, it’s likely going for extra bases or at least a base hit.
Even if it’s a 110 mph ground ball directly at a fielder’s glove, he could have a hard time securing it and making the play.
In other words, the harder the ball is hit, the better the odds of actually inflicting damage.
Noel is likely opening the season in the weak side of a platoon in right field since he is much better against lefties.
If he can take a step forward against righties (he definitely could,) there is a chance he earns more playing time.
NEXT: Guardians Manager Has A Preferred Lineup Slot For Jose Ramirez
