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Texas Rangers Rougned Odor Joins Select Group of Young Sluggers

By Bobby Mueller

Aug 30, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (12) hits a game winning two run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Texas won 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (12) hits a game winning two run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Texas won 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Miguel Cabrera
Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Miguel Cabrera, Florida Marlins

33 home runs as a 21-year-old in 2004

33 home runs as a 22-year-old in 2005

 

Miguel Cabrera came up with the Florida Marlins as a 20-year-old in June of 2003 and was a big part of their World Series winning team. He mashed in the Marlins’ seven game defeat of the Chicago Cubs in the 2003 NLCS when he hit .333/.394/.633, with nine runs, three home runs, and six RBI.

Cabrera was right in the middle of the eighth inning of Game Six of this series. This is the game that has tragically been called “The Bartman Game.” With the Cubs leading 3-0 in the eighth inning, Mark Prior got Mike Mordecai to fly out to left for out number one. Juan Pierre then doubled to left. The next batter, Luis Castillo, was down in the count when he hit a foul fly ball towards the left field stands. Cubs’ left fielder Moises Alou went over to make a play on the ball but was interfered with by a number of fans who were reaching for the ball. One in particular, Steve Bartman, would be singled out as the goat when Alou could not make the catch. After the foul ball that was not caught, Castillo walked. Ivan Rodriguez singled to left to score Pierre and send Castillo to second. The score was 3-1, Cubs, with one out and runners on first and second.

Up steps young Miguel Cabrera. He hits a groundball to shortstop Alex Gonzalez for what looks like an inning-ending double play chance, but Gonzalez boots it and everyone is safe. That opened the floodgates. The Marlins scored eight runs in the inning to win the game, then came back from a 5-3 deficit in Game 7 to win the series. Bartman has been blamed for that loss for the last 13 years, but Alex Gonzalez’ error could easily have been the moment that went down in history as one of the biggest gaffes ever.

As a 21-year-old the following season, Miggy hit 33 bombs and made his first all-star game. He followed that up with another 33-homer season at the age of 22, and once again made the all-star team. Like Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera had two 30-homer seasons by the age of 22.

Next: The Exit Velocity King

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