MLB: Ranking the top power hitters in the game today
There are a number of great power hitters in the game today, both old and young, but which rank above the rest? Here are the top ten power hitters currently in MLB.
Next: Honorable Mentions
Honorable Mentions
David Ortiz (Boston Red Sox) / Albert Pujols (Los Angeles Angels)
Both these aging power hitters share a spot as an honorable mention because while their power is probably going to decrease a little bit from last year, both still have the credentials and skills to be considered as some of the better power hitters in the game today. Both have been hitting for above average power numbers for a long time now, but some younger guys will probably be jumping these power-hitting vets this year.
Todd Frazier (Chicago White Sox)
The reigning Home Run Derby champion has hit 64 bombs the past two seasons and has really elevated himself to become one of the more feared right-handed bats in the game. He may not have the build of a typical slugger, but he gets the job done with a compact swing that send balls flying. His power numbers shouldn’t really be affected by moving from Cincinnati to Chicago either.
J.D. Martinez (Detroit Tigers)
Martinez seemingly came out of nowhere two years ago to become one of the best power-hitting outfielders in the league. In 2014, he was able to hit 23 homers in 123 games, and last season he was 11th in the league in home runs with 38 long balls. The arrow is pointing up for the 28-year-old in terms of what he can do in the power department, but he doesn’t have the prolonged production to warrant a place in the top ten.
Yoenis Cespedes (New York Mets)
The star Cuban outfielder may not have had elite power numbers when he first came into MLB with the Oakland Athletics, but much of that was to do with Oakland Coliseum being one of the toughest places in the league to hit home runs. Cespedes is now realizing the full potential of his power with his move to New York. The 30-year-old had a career-high 42 home runs in 2015 thanks to a strong finish to the season with the Mets in which he hit 17 long balls in only 57 games. Cespedes’ 2015 power numbers should continue as he plays in more homer-friendly places.
Anthony Rizzo (Chicago Cubs)
The Cubs’ 26-year-old first baseman has the potential to be one of the better power hitters in the game, but he just hasn’t produced enough yet to crack the top ten. However, he is off to a great start this year, knocking eight balls out of the park, which ranks as second in the entire league. Rizzo is a classic big and tall lefty slugger, but what’s so dangerous about him is that he can hit the ball out in any part of the field. His power numbers should continue to grow as he reaches his physical peak and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was a little higher on the list next season.
Next: 10. Nolan Arenado
10. Nolan Arenado (Colorado Rockies)
2016 HR: 8
2015 HR: 42
2014 HR: 18
Nolan Arenado broke out as one of the best third baseman in the game with his great defense and ability to hit the ball. Arenado was tied for third in the majors with 42 homers last season. While this is a great start to his career, Arenado is certainly helped by playing in Coors Field, which is famous for increasing power numbers. He would still have great home run numbers if he played for a different team, but Coors Field certainly inflates his production a bit. Arenado should continue to produce a lot of home runs this season and keep climbing up this list in the near future.
Next: 9. Mike Trout
9. Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels)
2016 HR: 4
2015 HR: 41
2014 HR: 36
Trout is known for being a great overall player because of his combination of elite hitting skills, defense and speed, but the former MVP’s power should not be overlooked when considering the overall strength of his game. Trout has possibly the quickest swing in the league, which produces a lot of power. Trout isn’t a pull hitter by any means as he can hit bombs all over the baseball field. The 23-year-old outfielder produced his best power numbers in 2015 and while he didn’t get off to a great start in 2016, his power is seemingly starting to come back in recent games.
Next: 8. Edwin Encarnacion
8. Edwin Encarnacion (Toronto Blue Jays)
2016 HR: 3
2015 HR: 39
2014 HR: 34
Encarnacion has been one of the more underrated power hitters in MLB for the past couple of seasons because he hasn’t been on many good teams and he has been overshadowed by the likes of Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson. But don’t let the lack of name recognition fool you, this 33-year-old can hit bombs with the best of them. He has also been consistent the past couple of years with his power output. Encarnacion has hit 30 or more home runs in a season for the past four years and has a career-high of 42 long balls in a single season. His right-handed swing is dangerous and powerful, especially since he plays in the Rogers Centre, which is known for producing a lot home runs.
Next: 7. Jose Bautista
7. Jose Bautista (Toronto Blue Jays)
2016 HR: 4
2015 HR: 40
2014 HR: 35
The next Blue Jays hitter on this list may have broken out a little later on in his career being that he is 35-years-old right now, but Bautista has been one of the most dangerous hitters in the game since he played a full season with the Blue Jays in 2010. During that time, Bautista has hit a season-high 54 homers in the 2010 season and has hit 40 or more three times, having hit 40 bombs last year, which ranked seventh. Bautista also has a right-handed stroke that frequently sends balls into the upper deck of the Rogers Centre. His age could be the only thing that holds him back from climbing up this list in the next couple of seasons.
Next: 6. Miguel Cabrera
6. Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers)
2016 HR: 3
2015 HR: 28
2014 HR: 52
This former Triple Crown winner possibly would have topped this list a few years ago, but some recent regression has placed him just outside the top five when looking at where he ranks among the game’s top sluggers this year. Cabrera hit 52 homers in the last full season the he played in 2014 and also hit 28 bombs after just appearing in 119 games last season. However, he also only hit 26 homers after playing a full season in 2013. Also, when looking at the 33-year-old as a player, his swing looks to have slowed down a little bit as well. But Cabrera’s track record and recent numbers still place him at this spot on the list. It should be interesting to see what player he becomes as he gets further into his career.
Next: 5. Josh Donaldson
5. Josh Donaldson (Toronto Blue Jays)
2016 HR: 7
2015 HR: 41
2014 HR: 29
When trying to figure out where the 2015 AL MVP belongs on this list, it is a difficult task. On one hand, Donaldson does not have a extensive track record of great power numbers right now, having only one year where he hit over 30 or more bombs, which was last season, when he was fifth in the league having hit 41 long balls. But looking at his production before the Blue Jays, his power numbers could be a little skewed.
In the two years that he started for Oakland, he was able to hit 29 and 24 homers, respectively. This is very impressive considering that he had to frequently hit in Oakland Coliseum, which is one of the toughest parks to hit one out. Now being with the Jays, Donaldson can show his full power potential. He has started this season with seven bombs, which ranks third in the league and people shouldn’t be surprised if he is able to hit a new career-high in home runs this season.
Next: 4. Nelson Cruz
4. Nelson Cruz (Seattle Mariners)
2016 HR: 4
2015 HR: 44
2014 HR: 40
Nelson Cruz has been one of the best long ball specialists in the major leagues the past two seasons. Before 2014, Cruz had never hit more than 33 homers in a season, but he has hit 40 or more in the past two. This is a bit odd as Cruz has been doing this past his prime, but it seems that he should be able to sustain his power. Cruz was first in home runs in the league in 2014 and was second behind Chris Davis in hitting the long ball last year. The 35-year-old has gotten off to a pretty good start in 2016 and he should be one of the best power hitters again as the season starts to get into full swing.
Next: 3. Giancarlo Stanton
3. Giancarlo Stanton (Miami Marlins)
2016 HR: 6
2015 HR: 27
2014 HR: 37
Stanton may have the best pure power of any hitter in the entire league. The Marlins outfielder is a freak of nature standing at 6’6”, 245 pounds. He hit three of the longest home runs in 2015 and has consistently been able to wow fans with just how easy his power looks when he hits a ball out. But the only thing holding him back from becoming one of the better power hitters that this game has seen is that he hasn’t been able to stay healthy enough to produce those kinds of numbers.
He has only played in 145 or more games twice in his six years in the league prior to this season, and his season-high home run total was when he slugged 37 homers in 2014. Based off the eye test, Stanton has the potential to be the best power hitter in the game, but he hasn’t been able to stay on the field to produce those kinds of elite numbers.
Next: 2. Chris Davis
2. Chris Davis (Baltimore Orioles)
2016 HR: 6
2015 HR: 47
2014 HR: 26
“Crush” Davis is one of the most controversial hitters in the game because of his incredible power potential in combination with his high strikeout numbers. When determining where the Orioles first baseman ranks among the best power hitters in the game, you have to look at where he ranks in home run production for the past couple seasons. Davis has led the league in homers in two of the past three seasons, having hit a career-high 53 long balls in 2013.
Like Stanton, Davis is a tall guy with a big frame that can produce home runs to all parts of the field. Many times Davis can be late with his swing and still have the ball clear the fence. Davis strikes out at one of the highest rates in the league, which keeps him from being at the top of this list, but his pure power and the types of numbers Davis has produced since 2013 is enough to put him as the second best power hitter in MLB.
Next: 1. Bryce Harper
- Bryce Harper (Washington Nationals)
2016 HR: 9
2015 HR: 42
2014 HR: 13
Harper was one of the most hyped prospects to ever come into MLB since he was 16 years old and hitting bombs of the back wall at Tropicana Field. The phenom was expected to be one of the best power hitters in the game when he made his major league debut in 2012. He got off to a hot start in in his rookie season, making the All-Star team in 2012 and 2013, but he got injured two years ago, which limited his home run total to 13 in 2014.
However, Harper was truly able to realize his immense potential last season hitting 42 bombs and winning the NL MVP Award. Harper has picked up right where he left off last season, leading MLB with nine home runs through 19 games this season. This means that he is hitting a homer every two games, and while you shouldn’t expect this to continue, he probably is the best bet to lead the majors in homers by season’s end.
Harper has a powerful left-handed swing that can launch balls farther than most and he should only improve as he is getting stronger and more experienced being that he is only 23 years old. Harper may not have the consistent production of some of the other hitters on this list, but right now Harper is the most feared slugger in the game and the best power hitter MLB has to offer right now.
Next: MLB teams poised to heat up in May
Who would you rank as the best power hitters in the game? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.