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Chicago Cubs: Jake Arrieta Crushes Spring Training Home Run (Video)

By Dan Schmelzer

Oct 10, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (49) hits a three run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning in game three of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (49) hits a three run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning in game three of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jake Arrieta is a pitcher who can rake. Watch the Chicago Cubs hurler crush a long home run in Spring Training.

Most pitchers are not known for hitting, but Jake Arrieta of the Chicago Cubs can handle a bat extremely well. He won the National League Silver Slugger for pitchers last season, hitting .262/.304/.415 on the season. Arrieta has also hit two regular season home runs in each of the past two seasons.

Plus, who could forget his three-run shot off of Madison Bumgarner in the NLDS. Simply put, Arrieta can rake and he put his offensive skills on display in a big way on Thursday. See for yourself.

That ball was absolute destroyed. Arrieta’s raw power is incredibly impressive and the numbers back it up. Statcast measured Arrieta’s shot at 464 feet with an exit velocity of 104 miles per hour. Whoa.

The only two Cubs’ players to hit longer home runs last season were Kris Bryant (469 feet) and Addison Russell (465 feet). That’s right, a pitcher just hit a home run that was further than all but two home runs hit by the incredibly powerful Cubs’ lineup last season.

Arrieta is entering a contract year with the Cubs and is hoping to cash in with his arm more than his bat. Last year was a bit of a down year for the Cubs’ bearded right-hander, but he still posted a strong 3.10 ERA and a league-best 6.3 hits allowed per nine innings. Arrieta was not as nasty as his Cy Young-winning 2015 season, but he is still one of the most talented pitchers in the game.

Which Arrieta we will see will certainly have a big impact on the Cubs’ success in 2017. If he is an elite ace again, the Cubs will have arguably the best rotation in Major League Baseball. However, if he struggles with his command and gets a little more unlucky than last year, the Cubs’ rotation depth may be tested.

Next: Five Cubs Players Who are Primed for Breakout Seasons

Whether he is elite on the mound or not, one thing is for sure; it is a lot of fun to watch Jake Arrieta swing the bat.

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