WATCH: Pirates slugger ONeil Cruz stays hot with a 114.2 mph home run against Twins on Friday

Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Oneil Cruz is making up for lost time. Early last year, his season was cut short after fracturing his left fibula in a game against the Chicago White Sox.

Cruz hit his eighth home run on Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers and was able to hit his ninth on Friday against the Minnesota Twins. The home run on Friday came off his bat at 114.2 mph.

Watch the clip below:

This is not the time Cruz has hit a ball hard this season. He currently leads all hitters with the hardest-hit ball this season coming in at 121.5 mph.

Currently, Cruz sits in 10th place in terms of average exit velocity. He averages 95.4 mph according to Baseball Savant. Sitting atop this list is New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge with an average exit velocity of 96.9 mph.

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Pirates slugger Oneil Cruz has been making hard contact all season long

Pittsburgh Pirates - Oneil Cruz (Image via USA Today)

Pirates slugger Oneil Cruz made history with his home run on Thursday against the Dodgers. It came off his bat at 117.7 mph, and according to Sarah Langs, is the hardest-hit homer for Pittsburgh since Statcast became official.

This is great to see for somebody who suffered such a gruesome injury last season. Many were not sure if he would return as the same exciting player, but he surely has.

Cruz's hot streak at the plate could help Pittsburgh climb out of the hole they have dug themselves this year. They sit with a record of 29-33, seven games behind the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs.

While they have not shown it yet, the Buccos have the talent to fight for a divisional title. The National League Central is still wide open and should be an exciting race come season's end.