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Thursday February 7th, 2013

Adam Dunn has hit 38 + HRs in 8 of the last 9 years.

Bernie Olshansky (Baseball Writer): Follow @BernieOlshansky

2012 was an exciting year for the long ball. The MLB saw its first Triple Crown winner since 1967, and there were six guys that hit over 40 HR. It seems as if 2013 will be more of the same with the emergence of new sluggers in Mike Trout and Bryce Harper. In this feature, I will highlight some of the hitters who I think will have the most dingers (and how many) by the end of 2013. I don’t think Joey Bats will stay healthy enough to reach this list (although he will have a chance if he can miss the injury bug.

Adam Dunn: 40

In the years that Dunn has not slumped, he has been pretty consistent. This past season proved to the baseball community that the slugger is not quite done yet. Although he hit for a very low average, Dunn still managed to club over 40 bombs. Knowing this, I have no problem putting Adam Dunn down to hit at least 40 this year. He will have more confidence than he did in 2012 – and will most likely be in better shape to start off the year. The White Sox might have a shot at the playoffs if Dunn can stay healthy and keep his average above the Mendoza Line.

Mike Trout: 41

Trout had 49 SB, 129 Runs 30 HRs and 83 RBI in just 138 Games. Might he improve on these numbers with a full year and the addition of Josh Hamilton to the cleanup spot in 2013?

The Angels prized possession did not even start the year with the big club, yet he still hit 30 HR. A legitimate candidate for MVP, Trout will not have a problem hitting 41 HR this season. The protection for Trout in Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton makes this argument even more convincing. I could see Trout driving in 100 runs this year and winning the MVP. Just like Dunn, Trout needs to maintain his health. With Trout, Hamilton, and Pujols running on all cylinders, the Angels will not have a problem reaching the playoffs after failing to do so in 2012. The Athletics and Rangers will not be a match for the powerful offense that now includes Josh Hamilton.

HRs 2012 (Explicit Music Lyrics-Parental Guidance Advised)

Edwin Encarnacion: 42

Edwin Encarnacion signed a 3 YR extension through 2015 worth at least 29 Million Dollars. He barely missed out on the HR lead, just missing Cabrera (44) and Hamilton (43) with his 42 Bombs in 2012.

Encarnacion hit 42 long balls last season and I see him doing the exact same in 2013. The Blue Jays First Baseman is a perfect fit to the revamped lineup. Jose Reyes will provide a huge boost to the Jays and will create many more runs. A presence like that of Reyes is guaranteed to improve a team. Reyes will also directly benefit Encarnacion by supplying more RBI chances. By hitting another 42 HR, Encarnacion will definitely help the Blue Jays secure their spot in the 2013 playoffs. Fans north of the border should definitely be excited about what is to come this season.

Curtis Granderson: 44

Granderson has the perfect swing for the short porch at Yankee Stadium in NY.

Granderson has really found it with the Yankees. Prior to playing in New York, Granderson only hit 30 HR once. In New York, Granderson has hit 24, 41, and 43 HR in 2010, 2011, and 2012 consecutively. Granderson will improve on his past two years and hit 44 HR this year. New Yankee Stadium will continue to benefit the Left-Handed power hitter. The Yankees might have a tough time making it to October this year with the Blue Jays acquiring such a powerful lineup, but Granderson could help prove me wrong.

Giancarlo Stanton: 45

Giancarlo Stanton led the National League in Slugging Percentage – with a .608 clip in 2012, amidst 37 HRs and 86 RBI in just 449 AB.

Although the Marlins basically got rid of their entire team, Stanton remains. Marlins Park is not the most hitter-friendly stadium in baseball, but that will not pose an issue for Stanton in 2013. He will hit eight more bombs than he did in 2012 and will not have a problem doing so. He could be traded at the deadline, so that is something to watch. Getting traded could serve as a benefit for Stanton, as he would most likely be traded to a smaller-dimensioned park. With the Marlins looking like they are now, Stanton seems like he will provide the only excitement for fans this year.

Miguel Cabrera: 46

I see Cabrera picking up right where he left off. Only this year, Cabrera will be hungrier. The Tigers got swept in the World Series by the Giants, and Cabrera undoubtedly wants to be right where he was in late October. Cabrera will hit two more HR than he did in 2012. I do not see him driving in 139 runs. That was a straight ungodly number and I would not expect anyone to repeat it. The HR total is a number I can see improving for Cabrera in 2013.

Miguel Cabrera has hit 321 HRs, 386 Doubles and 13 Triples in his 1st 10 years in the Major Leagues. More importantly, he led the MLB in HRs during the 2012 campaign with 44 Big Fly’s.  Look for him to inch toward 50 in the next few years.

(*The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com*)

Today’s feature was prepared by our Baseball Writer Bernie Olshansky. We highly encourage you to leave your comments and feedback at the bottom of the page and share in the discussion with our readers. You can also follow Bernie on Twitter. Follow @BernieOlshansky

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