Buy or Sell? Early MLB Hot Takes in 2017
By Anthony Sosa
Hot Take No. 3 – Madison Bumgarner Leads the Giants in Home Runs
On Opening Day, Madison Bumgarner did something no other pitcher had done before. He became the first pitcher to homer twice on Opening Day. His first home run came off of Diamondbacks ace Zack Greinke (the second time Bumgarner has homered off Greinke).
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Everyone realizes the power that Bumgarner has. Is it that ridiculous to think he could lead the Giants in home runs this season? No way.
Granted, Bumgarner only gets to hit when he pitches, he still has a shot with the power that the overall Giants team possesses. As of April 7, Brandon Belt leads the club in homers with three. Bumgarner is right behind him.
Last season, Belt led the Giants in home runs with 17. And the last time the Giants had a player hit 30 home runs in a season was in 2004 when Barry Bonds hit 45.
The MLB record for most home runs in a season for a pitcher belongs to Wes Ferrell who hit nine in 1931. Bumgarner breaks that record this season and he leads the Giants in home runs this season, as well. Don’t underestimate the 27-year-old pitcher’s bat.