San Francisco Giants: Madison Bumgarner’s Incredible Power

We all know that Madison Bumgarner has been impressive at the plate. However, if we put the San Francisco Giants pitcher’s performance in context, it is even more impressive.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner has earned a great deal of attention, not just for his ability as a pitcher, but for his impressive power in the batter’s box. Over the last four seasons, he has produced a solid .229/.277/.442 batting line, hitting 15 homers. That batting line has been worth an OPS+ of 94, an excellent mark for a pitcher.

Bumgarner is not the only player who has earned a great deal of attention for his ability to send the ball into the seats. Aaron Judge became an overnight sensation for his power, the latest home run hitting star of the Yankees. However, over their past 285 plate appearances, Judge and Bumgarner have been similar in the power department.

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Granted, this is a cherry picked sample size, but it is still rather interesting to look at. Bumgarner, a pitcher, has the same number of homers over his past 285 plate appearances as the American League leader in Judge. It makes one wonder what the Giants pitcher could have done if he was in the Home Run Derby as he hoped for.

Of course, there are differences. For Bumgarner, those plate appearances have come over a four year span. With Judge, these encompass approximately three months. Pitchers also have a lot more of an opportunity to adjust to what Judge is doing in the batter’s box, instead of focusing on someone who swings a bat every fifth day.

It does, however, serve to illustrate the type of hitter that Bumgarner is. Far from an automatic out, he is an actual threat with the bat, someone that could be the offensive support he needs. With that home run hitting ability, it would be interesting to see Bumgarner in the lineup a bit more, if only as one of the Giants pinch hitters.

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Madison Bumgarner and Aaron Judge have the same number of home runs in their last 285 plate appearances. At least the San Francisco Giants pitcher does not need the DH.