Top 10 home run hitters 2022
Top 10 home run hitters 2022: In recent years, home runs have become the most important part of a baseball team’s offense. The days of making runs and playing small ball are long gone. Even though there are a lot of well-known power hitters in MLB, there are always new sluggers on the verge of joining the elite group of home run hitters.
Who will be the top 10 home run hitters of 2022?
Here are 10 players who could be in an excellent position to be near the top of the home run list in 2022.
#1 Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
Home Run Career Best: 19
Even though Byron Buxton only played in 61 games in 2021, he had a big enough offensive impact that people think he could be a well-deserved candidate for AL MVP this year if he stays healthy for the whole season. In 254 at-bats, he got 42 extra-base hits and hit .306/.385/.647, giving him a 171 OPS+. With 19 home runs, he was on track to hit about 45 home runs if he got to 600 plate appearances. His power production is innate, according to the numbers, so all he needs to do is stay healthy for the upcoming games.
#2 Luis Robert, Chicago White Sox
Home Run Career Best: 13
Like division rival Byron Buxton, the only reason Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert is still on this list is because of injuries. The five-tool phenom only played in 68 games last year because of a hip flexor strain, but he made his presence known by hitting .338/.378/.567 with 13 home runs in 296 plate appearances and getting 3.6 WAR. Once he’s fully established in the big leagues, he has a good chance of having a 30/30 season. Moreover, if the season goes well, 2022 should be a big year.
#3 Bobby Bradley, Cleveland Guardians
Home Run Career Best: 16
Bobby Bradley’s ability to hit home runs has never been in doubt. The 6’1″, the 225-pound slugger hit at least 23 home runs in the minors for five years in a row. In 2019, he hit 33 home runs at Triple-A. In seven years in the minor leagues, he hit 156 home runs and had an OPS of .840. People have been wondering if he’ll stay consistent enough in order to play everyday league matches. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old is the favorite to start at first base for Cleveland. If he survives the starter long enough to get 500 at-bats, the milestone of hitting 30 home runs seems like a sure thing.
#4 Darin Ruf, San Francisco Giants
Home Run Career Best: 16
Few players will benefit more than San Francisco Giants slugger Darin Ruf from the likely addition of a universal DH in 2022. After Ruf failed with the Philadelphia Phillies, he moved to the KBO and quickly became one of the best hitters in the league. In three years with the Samsung Lions, he hit an average of 29 home runs, drove in 117 runs, and had an OPS of .968. Later, Darin came back to the United States in 2020 and signed with the Giants. He had a tremendous part-time season with a 143 OPS+, 16 home runs, and 43 RBI in 312 plate appearances last year. The 35-year-old batter did a lot of damage against left-handed pitchers (140 PA, 1.007 OPS, 9 HR), but he also did a lot of damage against right-handed pitchers.
#5 Jesus Sanchez, Miami Marlins
Home Run Career Best: 14
The outfielder Jesus Sanchez took a big step forward last year. In his first year in the major leagues, he went 1-for-25 with 11 strikeouts. At the 2019 trade deadline, the Miami Marlins got Sanchez, who was a top prospect when he was with the Tampa Bay Rays. He was part of a four-player deal that sent Nick Anderson to Tampa Bay. He started the 2020 season at No. 58 on Baseball America’s list of the 100 best prospects, but his lackluster first game took some of the shine off his star. During the first half of the season, the 24-year-old went back and forth between Triple-A and the major leagues. He finally took over as Miami’s everyday right fielder in mid-August.
#6 Jarred Kelenic, Seattle Mariners
Home Run Career Best: 14
On the surface, Jarred Kelenic’s first season didn’t live up to the high hopes for him. In 93 games, he hit only.181, had a 72 OPS+, and had a minus-1.8 WAR. But it would be a big mistake to write off the 22-year-old as a bust, especially given how he ended the season. With a batting line of.248/.331/.524 and seven home runs in 118 plate appearances over his last 29 games, he looked much more like the player who started the year at No. 4 on Baseball America’s Top 100 list and was expected to make an immediate impact.
Read Also:– Youngest Player To Win Home Run Derby
#7 Jo Adell, Los Angeles Angels
Home Run Career Best: 4
Outfielder Jo Adell is a five-tool talent who peaked at No. 3 on Baseball America’s list of the Top 100 prospects in 2020. He is now a post-hype sleeper. In 272 plate appearances over the last two seasons, the 22-year-old has had an unforgettable .205/.255/.339 line with a 61 OPS+ and a 32 percent strikeout rate. However, a strong finish to the 2021 season gives his fans reason to be hopeful again. In the outfield for the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, you can expect to see Mike Trout, Brandon Marsh, and Adell. On the contrary, Veteran Justin Upton might be seen playing less often.
#8 Frank Schwindel, Chicago Cubs
Home Run Career Best: 14
After the Chicago Cubs traded franchise icon Anthony Rizzo to the New York Yankees in July, it was up to journeyman Frank Schwindel to take over at the first base. He made the most of his first long chance in the big leagues. After making his Cubs debut on July 30, the 29-year-old hit a scorching .342/.389/.613 with 13 home runs and 40 RBI in 239 at-bats. During his time in the minors, he hit 20 home runs four times, which is a good sign of his power. He also has a good enough approach at the plate to be a good middle-of-the-order hitter, even if his numbers aren’t as good as they were last year.
#9 Chad Pinder, Oakland Athletics
Home Run Career Best: 15
With Mark Canha and Starling Marte both leaving in free agency, Chad Pinder seems to have a clear path to regular playing time in left field for the Oakland Athletics. He has done well in a “super-utility” role for the past few years, but now that Canha and Marte are gone, Pinder should be able to step right in. Last season, he hit just .243/.300/.411 with six home runs in 233 at-bats, but the data on the balls he hit tells an exhilarating story. He was tied for 20th among players with at least 200 at-bats in average exit speed (92.6 mph) and tied for ninth in hard-hit rate (54.2 percent).
#10 Harrison Bader, St. Louis Cardinals
Home Run Career Best: 16
Harrison Bader was able to play for the St. Louis Cardinals while he worked on his offense because he was good at center field defense. Giving him a long leash is now about to pay off for the team. Bader had a breakout season at the plate last year. In 2019 and 2020, he hit .210 and had an OPS+ of 88. In addition, the 27-year-old hit .267/.324/.460 and set career highs in doubles (21), home runs (16), RBI (50), and WAR (3.9). He did most of his damage during the team’s late-season hot streak. In his last 32 games, he had 117 at-bats and hit .333/.368/.613 with 10 doubles, 7 home runs, and 19 RBI. That could be the start of an even more successful year in 2022.