Pirates prospect's hype train speeding off tracks after Statcast-breaking AFL Derby

Remember Oneil Cruz's jaw-dropping Home Run Derby performance earlier this year?

The Pittsburgh Pirates' center fielder didn't win the event, but he was by far the most entertaining batter to watch. On top of hitting a 500-foot home run, he produced exit velocities that simply couldn't be believed, routinely smashing balls over 115 miles per hour.

Well, Cruz may soon have some competition in the Steel City for the title of "biggest ball masher". Prospect Tony Blanco Jr. was invited to the Arizona Fall League's Home Run Derby, and he made good on the opportunity, hitting a home run at nearly 123 mph!

That ties Cruz for the hardest hit ball in the Statcast era, though Cruz hit his home run in a regular season game against the Milwaukee Brewers, rather than in a practice setting. Regardless, Blanco's feat is simply astonishing, and is a promising sign for a Pirates team in need of some power.

Tony Blanco Jr.'s historic home run caps off incredible AFL performance for Pirates prospects

Blanco ended up winning the event with a walk-off shot to the opposite field and dedicated his performance to his late father (and former MLB player) Tony Blanco Sr.

Beyond their raw power, Cruz and Blanco Jr. share very similar statures, as both stand tall at 6'7" with a 240-pound frame. After hitting eight home runs in 30 games in the minor leagues this season, there should be no doubt about the 20-year-old's potential.

In 13 games (53 plate appearances) for the Salt River Rafters, Blanco is hitting .250/.377/.432 with four extra-base hits (two home runs, two doubles). It's been an exciting AFL performance for the ostensible first base prospect, especially considering he hasn't advanced past Single-A Bradenton yet.

His performance is actually part of a wider trend of an elite offensive display by Pirates prospects in the AFL this year.

Esmerlyn Valdez is batting .370/.519/.870 with eight home runs and more walks than strikeouts, and his 1.389 OPS ranks second in the league behind only Max Anderson. If you can believe it, he's actually cooled off significantly since a ridiculous start, and he still leads the AFL in homers and RBI.

Axiel Plaz is the other position player prospect the Pirates sent to the fall league, and though he's hit for no power in 12 games, he has worked nine walks to just seven strikeouts while batting .326/.442/.326.

Blanco's Home Run Derby heroics will probably be the most memorable moment from this year's AFL season, though Pirates fans should be giddy about the potential brewing up and down the farm system after he, Valdez, and Plaz have showed out against older competition.