MLB: 5 stats from 2016 that went largely overlooked

1. Ray of light for Tampa’s power bats

For the first time in their 19 year history as a MLB organization, the Tampa Bay Rays collectively passed 200 home runs as a team in 2016. Never before had it been done by this franchise, until last season.

The Rays had four players hit 20-plus long balls in yesteryear. In 2015, only Evan Longoria eclipsed that mark, swatting a meager 21.

He is the active franchise leader with 241 to his name and Longoria returned to form as the offensive juggernaut he was in years past, clearing the fence 36 times while driving in 98.

For a team playing at home in the domed pitcher’s park of Tropicana Field that had consistent success from 2008-13 following the small-ball blueprint under Joe Maddon on offense and largely getting by on the deftness of their staff, fans in Tampa surely appreciated the coming out party by their squad that hit the sixth most home runs in 2016.

Falling into place behind Longoria came a surprising turn from 26 -year-old Brad Miller, who didn’t have 30 cumulative home runs in his previous three seasons and 343 games in the league. Third was fellow newcomer Corey Dickerson with 24, followed by Logan Forsythe with 20. Though Forsythe won’t be returning for 2017, Steven Souza Jr. is another encouraging power bat in the lineup that hit 17 four baggers in only 430 at-bats last year.

As well, the Rays have added Colby Rasmus to the roster. He will hold down left field and has strong potential of reaching 20 HRs on the year for the fifth time in his career entering his age 30 season.