By Jonathan Lee
1. Jose Bautista, TOR: 44.3
2. Albert Pujols, LAA – 37.7
3. Prince Fielder, DET – 33.7
4. Mark Teixeira, NYY – 33.3
5. Paul Konerko, CHW – 33.2
6. Curtis Granderson, NYY – 32.3
7. Mark Reynolds, BAL – 31.3
8. Nelson Cruz, TEX – 30.7
9. Giancarlo Stanton, MIA – 30.6
10. (tie) Dan Uggla, ATL – 30.1
10. (tie) Miguel Cabrera, DET – 30.1
The projected home run leaders feature all the names you would typically expect with the back-to-back reigning champ, the best right-handed hitter of this generation, two Yankees, two Tigers, a few steady veterans, and one up-and-coming star.
Jose Bautista has led the major leagues over the past two seasons hitting a combined 95 home runs. It’s no surprise he is projected to lead the way once again with 44.3 dingers, but the margin might be. Albert Pujols is forecasted to be second with 37.7 home runs, 6.6 fewer than Bautista. Tigers Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera are projected for a combined 63.8 home runs. Paul Konerko has toiled in obscurity for the White Sox averaging 33.4 homers over the past 8 seasons. He is projected for another 33 this season.
Yankees Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson finished 2-3 behind Bautista last season. Granderson is projected for 32.3 home runs this season, 10 fewer than he hit last season. His 2011 total of 41 represented an increase of 11 over his previous career high of 30. AccuScore still sees Granderson as one of the premier power hitters in the game, but more in line with his career averages. Teixeira has oddly alternated between 33 and 39 home runs for the past 4 seasons (look it up, it’s true). He hit 39 homers last year and AccuScore pegs him for about 33 this year. Makes sense.
The other leaders include all-power, no-hit Mark Reynolds with 31.3, Texas slugger Nelson Cruz with 30.7, young Miami star Giancarlo (formerly Mike) Stanton with 30.6, and Atlanta’s Dan Uggla with 30.1.
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