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Vote: Will Josh Hamilton Lead the American League in Home Runs This Season?

Josh Hamilton was on a tear earlier this season, belting 12 home runs in the month of may including nine in the span of six days. Still atop many midseason MVP ballots, Hamilton could be chasing after the American League home run crown as well. But not without a challenge.

There are currently 11 players with more than 20 home runs, and each are well within the reach of the lead that Hamilton shares with White Sox slugger Adam Dunn. The pair each have 28 homers this season and have gotten some good luck in recent days as Jose Bautista (27 home runs) and David Ortiz (23 home runs) were forced onto the disabled list with injuries.

Even with the absence of both sluggers, the likes of Edwin Encarnacion and Mark Trumbo still pose a significant threat in the home run chase. Encarnacion, who has never hit more than 26 homers in a season, already has 25 longballs this year and could be looking at power surge with Bautista out of the Blue Jays lineup. Meanwhile, Trumbo is a heavy hitter with plenty of power behind him. He’s already posted 26 home runs and after an impressive showing at the Home Run Derby could be in for even more in the second half.

There are plenty of other home run hitters out there slugging away at the ball, such as Curtis Granderson and Miguel Cabrera, so the chase is still wide open. Who do you think will come away with the AL home run crown at season’s end?

Who will lead the American League in home runs?