Stronger, Faster, Louder: Ben Rice’s Exit Velo Surge Could Mean 30+ Bombs for the Yankees
Ben Rice Is Bulking Up and Blasting Baseballs
Before launching their dynasty, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls had to get through the bad boy Detroit Pistons. After getting physically battered for three straight postseasons, Jordan responded by coming back stronger - literally - and took control of the league in 1991.
Now, Ben Rice isn’t Jordan, but the offseason bulk-up is real.
Rice reported to Spring Training 2025 with 13 pounds of added muscle, jumping from 215 to 228 pounds. The difference is obvious, especially in the arms - and it’s already showing up in the data. According to Baseball Savant, Rice averaged 90.0 mph exit velocity during the 2024 season. This year? He’s up to 99.2 mph.
On April 1st against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Rice recorded his hardest-hit ball yet - a 111.0 mph rocket to the right field wall, ranking him top 9% in MLB for hardest-hit balls so far this season.
What Exit Velo Really Means—And Why It Matters
Exit velocity measures how fast the ball leaves the bat. Higher exit velocity usually means more damage - balls travel farther, fielders have less time to react, and hits turn into doubles, triples, or home runs - just like we saw with Rice’s 111.0 mph scorcher last night that ended up being a double.
MLB average: ~85 - 90 mph
Elite hitters: regularly hit 100+ mph
Top-tier blasts: over 115 - 120 mph
Rice’s jump from 90.0 to 99.2 mph is massive. That’s not just muscle - it’s a sign of better bat speed, cleaner contact, and growing confidence at the plate for the young prospect/
Why 30+ Home Runs Isn’t a Stretch
In addition to the added strength and bat speed, Rice has also quietly raised his average launch angle by 2.8% over last season. That tweak might seem small, but combined with his new physicality and exit velocity jump, it’s a recipe for long balls - especially as a left-handed hitter at Yankee Stadium.
FanGraphs currently projects Rice to hit 23 home runs in 2025. But based on what I am seeing? 30+ isn’t a hot take - it’s a realistic ceiling.
Sources + Extra Reading