As we take a break from the 2017 MLB season and enjoy the Home Run Derby and All-Star game, now is a good time to take a look at the insane home-run numbers being put up thus far. Aaron Judge, the sensational rookie, leads the MLB with a staggering 30 dingers. Judge became the all time leading rookie home-run leader in Yankee baseball history with a solo shot against the Brewers on July 7th passing Joe DiMaggio. The rate Judge is going he is on pace to hit 57 bombs this year according to ESPN.com.
As I was looking at the current HR leaders and getting ready for this years incredibly loaded HR derby, something else other than Judge stood out to me. Mike Moustakas. "Moose" as the Royals faithful call him, is off to a career season. He has jacked 25 home runs launching him self in to his second All-Star appearance and first Home-Run derby. Moose is tied for fifth place overall in homers with another rookie sensation, Cody Bellinger. I began to look at this list more closely and decided to compare it to the all-time single season home run record list.
Here's what I discovered.
Moose is on pace for 47 homers this year, if he continues the way he has so far he will be tied for 74th place all time for single season home-runs. This would be the third year in a row a player has hit 47 HRS. Mark Trumbo in 2016 and Chris Davis in 2015. But that isn't the crazy part.
Moose is ranked FIFTH. That means that if all four major leaguers ahead of him stay on pace, four new players will break inside the top 74 for single season HRS all-time.
1. Aaron Judge Current: 30 On Pace: 57
2. George Springer Current: 27 On Pace: 49
3. Joey Votto and Giancarlo Stanton Current: 26 On Pace: 48
5. Mike Moustakas Current: 25 On Pace: 47
5. Cody Bellinger Current: 25 On Pace: 45
The last time someone hit more than 47 HRS was four years ago, in 2013 when Chris Davis smashed 53 dingers putting him 26th all-time. Judge would be on pace to tie Alex Rodriguez and Luis Gonzalez at 14th all-time with 57.
This insane and history making possibility really raises the eyebrows of baseball fans and writers everywhere. With the recent buzz of the balls being "juiced" by the MLB, this information aides to that being possible.
While I don't necessarily believe that the Major League Baseball organization has purposely "juiced" balls in order to increase home-runs, the "Out of this world" numbers we are seeing makes even the most optimistic baseball fan question the MLB.
In the meantime I'll continue to enjoy watching the current greats of the game smash baseballs to oblivion.
