KBO League’s Longest Home Runs: How Noh Si-hwan and Kang Baek-ho Are Redefining Power Hitting in 2026

Translation result. ▲ Noh Si-hwan, who has been slowly regaining his swing, drew widespread attention on the 8th with a mammoth 148.3 m (about 487 ft) homer. ⓒHanwha Eagles

[SPOTV News — Kim Tae-woo] In the KBO, a typical home run flies roughly 100–120 meters (about 328–394 ft). Anything beyond 120 m (about 394 ft) is considered a big blast; 130 m (about 427 ft) or more is truly massive. Over a full season, homers that clear 130 m are relatively rare — some days you don’t see one at all.

To reach 130 m or farther, hitters usually need an ideal swing and launch angle — often pulling the ball near the stands or clearing center or the gaps. A 110 m (about 361 ft) pull homer is common enough, but 130 m-plus requires exceptional raw power. Even in MLB, shots over roughly 450 ft (about 137 m) are uncommon.

Still, Hanwha served up some of those rare long balls in last weekend’s three-game series against LG. The exit velocities and distances looked MLB-caliber, revealing the young Eagles’ brute strength. Those blasts — paired with a come-from-behind series win (2–1) — gave fans plenty to celebrate.

On the 8th, the team’s power hitter Noh Si-hwan (26) started the display. After a demotion to the second team, Noh’s timing and feel have steadily returned. His exit velocities and contact quality improved, and he confirmed that rebound with a defining homer.

▲ Kang Baek-ho, who’s lived up to the team’s expectations at the plate this season, wowed fans on the 10th by sending one over the Daejeon monster wall. ⓒHanwha Eagles

Trailing 0–3 in the fourth, Noh took starter Song Seung-gi deep over the left-center fence. TrackMan, the KBO’s official speed-tracking platform, recorded an exit velocity of 176.6 km/h (about 109.7 mph) and a distance of 148.3 m (about 487 ft). The official sight-based estimate put it around 140 m (about 459 ft).

It was the longest homer in the league this season and felt colossal in person. At roughly 487 ft, that distance is exceptional even by MLB standards. The roughly 110 mph exit velocity made it highlight-reel material.

On the 10th, Kang Baek-ho (27) answered with his own showcase of power. In the fifth inning he crushed a pitch from Kim Jin-su over the right-side monster wall. TrackMan logged the exit velocity at 175.4 km/h (about 109.0 mph) and the distance at 135.4 m (about 444 ft).

▲ Huh In-seo, who’s shown impressive pop this year, extended his hot streak on the 10th with a 137.4 m (about 451 ft) blast. ⓒHanwha Eagles

Noh and Kang already rank among the league leaders in exit velocity and distance. Among domestic players — excluding foreign imports — they post elite numbers. Both have produced numerous homers with exit speeds above 170 km/h (about 105.6 mph) and several measuring 135 m (about 443 ft) or more.

This season a third power source has emerged: young everyday catcher Huh In-seo (23). On the 10th, Huh homered off Kim Jin-su in the sixth. TrackMan recorded an exit velocity of 170 km/h (about 105.6 mph) and a distance of 137.4 m (about 451 ft) — even farther than Kang’s shot. It was Huh’s seventh homer of the year and a clear sign his power has surged.

Now, proven sluggers Noh and Kang have company in Huh, while Mun Hyun-bin (22) has also shown hard contact and pop — already at seven homers. Until last season, Hanwha lacked young domestic power hitters beyond Noh. This year’s group, mostly in their early-to-mid 20s, gives the Eagles renewed confidence that they can sustain long-term power production.

▲ Mun Hyun-bin has shown a clear upgrade in power this season and is staking a claim as the team’s top hitter. ⓒHanwha Eaglesn