Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports

Fantasy Baseball is turning out to be a 365 day year proposition these days.  A lot of the talk over the airwaves centers around the best power hitters in the game right now.  I think we can all agree on that the game’s power has declined over the last few years – without the aid of PED’s/Amphetamine use.

Overall, there are several players who still possess sick power.  For anyone that watches batting practice at the games, a lot of the guys can all yak it over the fence at will when they know where the ball is going from their BP chucker.  Doing it in the game is another matter.

Last season’s HR winners were Nelson Cruz and Giancarlo Stanton, even though the latter missed the last month of the campaign when he was horrendously beaned in the face.  The OF formerly known as Mike, is back to claim the title again.

Mike Trout will prove his metal in 2015, and lead the American League in jacks this year.  He has been slotted more in the middle of the lineup with the emergence of Kole Calhoun out of the leadoff spot.  This bodes well for the power department.

Chris Carter was the only real threat to the man at the end of the year.  It was too bad that Edwin Encarnacion was hurt mid-way through the year because he was pistol hot in May and June, featuring many multi-HR affairs in a  6 week window.

The Blue Jays and Orioles will lap the field in HRs for the Majors I am certain.  I think Toronto will see 100+ HRs from Encarnacion,  Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista.

Here are my 5 picks to finish on both the American League and National League HR leaderboards, and then overall in the MLB for the 2015 year.

HR Projections In 2015

American League

1.  Mike Trout, LAA – 42

2. Chris Davis, BAL – 41

3. Josh Donaldson, TOR – 37

4. Yoenis Cespedes, DET – 35

5. George Springer, HOU – 33

National League

1.  Giancarlo Stanton MIA – 44

2. Paul Goldschmidt, ARI – 37

3.  Pedro Alvarez, PIT – 33

4.  Mark Trumbo, ARI – 32

T5.  Bryce Harper, WSH – 31

T5.  Anthony Rizzo, CHC – 31

MLB Overall 2015

1. Giancarlo Stanton, MIA – 44

2. Mike Trout, LAA – 42

3.   Chris Davis , BAL – 41

T4. Josh Donaldson, TOR – 37

T4. Paul Goldschmidt, ARI – 37

I think bounce back seasons are in the cards for Alvarez, Goldschmidt and Davis.  Omitted from the list is last year’s collection of Bautista and Encarnacion, who should still near 30 HR plateau again, Chris Carter of the Astros will have a tough time clubbing 37 HRs again for 2015, and Nelson Cruz will see some of his power evaporate in seeing half of his games at Safeco Field.

I was tempted to select Jose Abreu for this list, however I think he will have a tougher time in 2015 hitting HRs, and in particular he won’t need to with the Sox being in contention more of the year.  I believe he is still going to hit for a nice lofty Batting Average too.  30 HRs is also attainable.  Organizations had all offseason to watch tape on him.

David Ortiz and Victor Martinez will have a tougher time duplicating their 2014 numbers.  Father time has to play a factor at some point.  Miguel Cabrera still hasn’t shown he has shaken off his nagging lower body injuries, although I fully expect the 2012 and 2013 AL MVP to hit for his lofty Batting Average.

Playing in a park like Comerica won’t be much different for Cespedes, as he had played the majority of his brief career in pitcher friendly Oakland.  The reigning two-time HR Derby Champ is due for a big Homer total in a contract year.  I am loving the Tigers middle of the lineup too, where I think all 3 men can knock in 110 RBI this season.  I just think Miggy and V-mart opt for a little less power and better Batting Average.

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

A Big thanks goes out to our chief writer Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s feature post.

For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries Posts that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.