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Power is on the rise once again

We saw an increase in power in the second half of the 2015 season, and that has continued in the first month of the 2016 season.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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