Potential 2024 MLB Home Run Leaders
Over the past couple of MLB seasons, the home run leader race has become a top storyline that fans and writers have been able to witness, as top milestones have been broken recently in the home run department. In 2022, we saw Aaron Judge shatter Roger Maris’ single-season American League home run record (61), as Judge hit a league-best 62 home runs. Last season, former Angel Shohei Ohtani and Braves’ first baseman Matt Olson battled it out for the home run crown. Ultimately, Olson would hit an MLB-best 54 homers, while Ohtani hit a respectable 44 dingers in 2023. Entering the 2024 season, several qualified players have the potential to lead the league in home runs this season. Here are five potential candidates that could see themselves at the top of the MLB home run rankings.
1. Ronald Acuña Jr. (OF) - Atlanta Braves
Since making his MLB debut in 2018, Acuña has become one of the league’s best power hitters and has put on display his ability to smash baseballs a long distance. In his six-year career, Acuña has hit 161 home runs and has recorded two seasons (2019 and 2023) of 41 home runs. When healthy, Acuña has shown his ability to change the outcome of a game with one swing of the bat. During the 2023 season, Acuña recorded the hardest hit home run on Sept. 2 against the Dodgers, when Acuña hammered a 121.2 mph, 454-foot home run to center field. As well, Acuña ranked second in the league behind Aaron Judge (97.6 mph) in average exit velocity with an average of 94.7 mph. With the benefit of playing at Truist Park, which gave up the second-most home runs (250) last season, and having a lot of protection around him within the Braves’ lineup, Acuña is a top candidate to lead the league in dingers by the end of the 2024 season.
2. Aaron Judge (OF) - New York Yankees
Despite missing 56 games last season, Judge still managed to smash 37 home runs and ranked tenth in the league. Coming off a 2022 season, which saw Judge hit an American League single-season record 62 home runs, Judge’s 37 home runs in 2023 could be getting overlooked because of his record-shattering 2022 campaign. Over the past two seasons and three of his eight seasons, Judge has recorded a slugging percentage of .600 or better and has ranked in the top five of OPS (on-base plus slugging). With fellow superstars Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton being on the Yankees’ roster, opposing pitchers will be forced to pitch to Judge, allowing Judge to launch more moonshots into the Yankee Stadium bleachers.
3. Shohei Ohtani (DH) - Los Angeles Dodgers
Coming off a 2023 season, which saw Ohtani suffer a right elbow injury and end up needing Tommy John surgery late in the season, the dual-threat star will focus solely on batting this season, as he recovers from the surgery. In his six-year MLB career, Ohtani has racked up three straight seasons of 30 or more home runs. Last season, despite missing the latter half of the season, Ohtani managed to record an AL-leading 44 home runs in only 135 games played. In 2023, Ohtani ranked eighth in hard-hit percentage (54.2%) and third in average exit velocity (94.4 mph). After signing with the Dodgers this offseason, Ohtani will have the luxury of being a part of a dynamic Dodgers lineup that will allow Ohtani to continue showcasing his power ability and create even more louder and damaging contact this season.
4. Juan Soto (OF) - New York Yankees
The trading of Soto from the Padres to the Yankees this offseason has the potential to become a huge benefit for Soto’s power productivity and home run total this season. With Soto being a left-handed hitter, Soto will be able to capitalize on the layout of Yankee Stadium. The short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium has often become a launching pad for left-handed hitters. In 2023, 19 out of Soto’s 35 home runs were hit to his pull side, so Soto being able to play 81 games in Yankee Stadium will provide himself a massive advantage heading into the season. Last season, Soto ranked 14th in home runs with 35 and ranked 11th in slugging percentage at .519%. Soto has recorded 160 home runs in his seven-year career and will have the opportunity to add to that career number this season in the Bronx.
5. Adolis Garcia (OF) - Texas Rangers
If you are looking for a surprise candidate who could find himself leading the league in homers this season, then Adolis Garcia is the player. Last season, Garcia played a large part in the Rangers run to their first World Series championship in franchise history. In 2023, Garcia finished the season with 39 home runs, ranking seventh in the league. As well, Garcia has recorded 30 or more home runs in two of his past three seasons. During the postseason, Garcia added another eight home runs, which is the second-highest total in a single postseason. Furthermore, Garcia had a barrel rate of 16.1%, which ranked seventh in MLB. After being able to take advantage of his raw power the past few seasons, Garcia has earned the right to be named a sneaky pick that could wind up leading the league in homers in 2024.
