Detroit Tigers: You’ll never guess who MLBs home run leader is

Raise your hand if you had Wilson Ramos leading the majors in home runs after two weeks of the season. Raise your hand if you were surprised to hear Wilson Ramos is still in the league. I’d have to imagine there are more hands raised with the latter than the former. The two-time All-Star catcher is off to a rejuvenated start to the 2021 season, and is just one of the reasons the Detroit Tigers are playing better than expected baseball to start the year.

Ramos has always hit well and been a solid defensive catcher, though the recent power surge is somewhat of a surprise. For a guy who has battled injuries and become something of a journeyman catcher, the power surge being displayed is eye opening.

The Detroit Tigers are benefitting from Wilson Ramos’ herculean start to the year and has the team keeping pace in a tight divisional race.

At age 33, with multiple serious knee surgeries behind him, Ramos sat on the free agent market until the end of January. He was scooped up by Detroit for $2M, a modest dollar figure for a catcher with his track record. In comparison, Jason Castro (who is just days older than Wilson) signed a 2 YR/ $7M deal with the Houston Astros this past offseason and doesn’t boast near the resume as Ramos.

In a recent game against the Astros, Ramos belted two home runs, both to the opposite field. Ramos’ swing looked fluid and he ran around the bases with ease. I know, when you are trotting after a home run, it should always be easy. What I mean is, Ramos looks as if he has trimmed down as well as reached full health in his knees.

To this point in his career, his high in home runs for a season is 22, achieved in an All-Star campaign with the Washington Nationals in 2016. A good balance of time spent catching and DHing, could keep Ramos fresh. The Tigers will want to ride this power surge as long as they can, considering they sit just a game and a half out of first place in the division.

It’s early, but I’d say we didn’t see Wilson Ramos as the home run leader, or the Detroit Tigers this close to first place at any point this season.