Major League Baseball: Analyzing The Season Totals

Sep 8, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) hits a solo home run in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Highest Home Run total by a batter 42.5

A season ago, Nelson Cruz seemed to blast a home run on almost any given night. He ended up with a season total of 40, three more than strikeout-prone Chris Carter of Houston, and Giancarlo Stanton of Miami. The top five was rounded out by both Jose Abreu and Mike Trout launching 36 long balls.

Cruz goes from Baltimore to Seattle, and will likely have a tough time repeating the same level of success he had a season ago. Carter remains a wildcard, as he is always a power threat when he puts the bat on the ball. His strikeout numbers make his total hard to project, but there’s little doubt he launches more than 30 home runs in 2015. Trout is hands down the best player in baseball, but 40 home runs for him may even be a stretch, and Abreu will probably feel the pressure of following up his Rookie of the Year campaign. That leaves us Stanton.

Last season, Stanton looked like a very strong MVP candidate until being hit in the face and spending the rest of the year on the disabled list. There’s a strong argument to be made that he could have hit 45 home runs last season had he not ended up hurt. Therein lies the problem as well. Miami signed Stanton to a massive 13 year deal this offseason, but the young star hasn’t faced game situation pitching since his injury. I don’t think he experiences any long-term issues, but coming off the injury and not playing for a contract extension makes me think the production dips some this season.

Play: Under 42.5