Jose Bautista Leading an Unusual Group in Home Runs

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May 31, 2010


Jose Bautista Leading an Unusual Group in Home Runs Jose Bautista
is leading the Major Leagues in home runs.

Wait … who?

That’s right, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/utility man Jose Bautista is tops in the big leagues with 16 dingers.

In fact, the 29-year-old Bautista, whose 16th homer on Sunday tied his career high, has the most home runs in the majors (26) since Sept. 1 of last year.  Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera is second with 21 home runs in that time span.

Bautista is leading an unusual slew of players in the home run rankings this year.

Cabrera’s 14 bombs aren’t surprising anyone, but White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who also has 14, hasn’t hit 30 home runs since his 31 in 2007.

Orioles second baseman Ty Wigginton, whose career high of 24 home runs came in 2006 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, has hit 13 of his own this year.

Wigginton wasn’t even supposed to start this year, but has thrived as the starting second baseman while usual starter and former All-Star Brian Roberts sits on the DL with an injured back.

Then there’s Bautista’s teammate, Vernon Wells, who hit only 15 home runs in 630 at-bats last year, but has 13 already in 2010.

Bautista (first) and Wells (tied for fourth) are both in the top 10 in the majors in homers and guide a Blue Jays offensive attack that is leading the big leagues in long balls with a whopping 88 in just 52 games heading into play Monday night. The Red Sox are next on the list with 69.

Rounding out the top 10 are Brewers outfielder Corey Hart, who hit his 13th homer Monday, Rangers DH Vladimir Guerrero, Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla and Diamondbacks infielders Kelly Johnson and Mark Reynolds, who all have 12.

Guerrero hasn’t hit 30 home runs since his 33 in 2006 with the Angels, while Johnson’s career high of 16 came in 2007 with Atlanta.

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