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Over the last few seasons, we have seen the number of 30 home run hitters dwindle to the 10-15 range, but in 2015 we saw 19 hitters hit 30 or more home runs, and that number will probably increase this season. I have been watching the league power stats over at FanGraphs since the first week of the season, and below you will find the first month stats for each of the last ten seasons.
As you can see in the table below, we saw the most home runs hits in the first month of the season since 2013, when there were 800 home runs hit, but in 2,000 more plate appearance. On a plate appearance per home run basis, we just saw the most home runs hit in the first month of the season over the last ten seasons.
With the dominance of starting pitchers over the last few years, it appears the tide might be turning toward more power and offense once again. Then again, hitters are striking out more in 2016 than they have over the last ten years.
Through Sunday's game, there are 41 hitters with five or more home runs this season, and are on pace to hit 30 or more home runs. More than likely, all 41 won't reach the 30 home run level, but it appears power, and run scoring, is up in 2016.
And we haven't even entered the warmer months of the season yet.
Year |
G |
PA |
HR |
R |
RBI |
SB |
HR/PA |
BB% |
K% |
ISO |
2016 |
7513 |
26756 |
740 |
3001 |
2863 |
360 |
36.16 |
8.60% |
21.30% |
0.155 |
2015 |
9359 |
24708 |
592 |
2794 |
2645 |
382 |
41.74 |
8.00% |
20.10% |
0.141 |
2014 |
11468 |
31017 |
720 |
3412 |
3214 |
500 |
43.08 |
8.30% |
20.80% |
0.140 |
2013 |
11035 |
29805 |
800 |
3350 |
3169 |
419 |
37.26 |
8.20% |
20.20% |
0.150 |
2012 |
9439 |
25577 |
638 |
2813 |
2685 |
418 |
40.09 |
8.20% |
19.30% |
0.146 |
2011 |
11171 |
30384 |
724 |
3416 |
3253 |
544 |
41.97 |
8.60% |
18.60% |
0.141 |
2010 |
9730 |
26606 |
648 |
3137 |
2967 |
462 |
41.06 |
9.40% |
18.40% |
0.150 |
2009 |
9135 |
25064 |
679 |
3126 |
2982 |
402 |
36.91 |
9.80% |
17.70% |
0.158 |
2008 |
11876 |
32423 |
749 |
3786 |
3606 |
520 |
43.29 |
9.40% |
16.50% |
0.143 |
2007 |
10589 |
28759 |
681 |
3360 |
3197 |
423 |
42.23 |
9.10% |
17.00% |
0.145 |