MLB Player Futures: Home Run Leader
It seems like only yesterday that the Chicago Cubs shattered their 71-year curse by winning the World Series over the Cleveland Indians in thrilling Game 7 fashion.
Time has indeed flown by, but that won’t stop the 2017 season from starting Sunday, April 2. That’s right, another long, arduous journey to October is about to commence. A journey that miraculously features the Cubs as reigning champions. What a time to be alive!
Before umpires shout “Play Ball” and first pitches are tossed across the plate, let’s take a peek at one of the more popular player props to wager on: The home run leader race. Even though the steroid era salad days are long since gone, chicks and dudes alike still dig the long ball. If you are a newbie, then it might be a good idea to learn the basics of MLB betting at SportsBettingExperts.com.
The Big Three
Chris Davis +800
Giancarlo Stanton +800
Kris Bryant +800
A worthy trio of favorites. Davis has slammed 85 dingers in the last two seasons and was the last player to eclipse 50, hitting 53 in 2013. Stanton is a beast, but injuries have slowed him the last two years. Bryant bombed 39 in 2016 and has reportedly been working on his opposite field power all spring. If he can stay healthy, 45 is within reach.
The Mile High Monster
Nolan Arenado +1000
He tied for the NL lead the last two seasons and has the benefit of Colorado’s thin air. It’s pretty much a lock that he totals 40-plus again.
The Thirtysomething Club
Mark Trumbo +1200
Edwin Encarnacion +1200
Trumbo led the Bigs with 47 in 2016 and captured the Silver Slugger Award. However, his previous season high was 34 and he still swings at too many bad pitches. Encarnacion left the home run friendly confines of Toronto’s Rogers Centre for Cleveland’s Progressive Field, an unforgiving park for right-handed power hitters.
Value Picks
Nelson Cruz +1400
Manny Machado +1400
Bryce Harper +1400
Cruz is the model of consistency, belting at least 40 bombs in three consecutive campaigns between Baltimore and Seattle. Machado is young and hungry, but the presence of Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo will hurt his overall numbers. Harper hammered 42 in 2015, but has combined for only 79 in his four other major league seasons.
The Golden Boy
Mike Trout +1600
The two-time AL MVP’s game has never been about power as he’s yet to notch 40 homers in a season. And considering the Angels front office has failed to add viable protection in the lineup, it’s unlikely he’ll do so in 2017. Then again, Trout is baseball’s best pure hitter and possesses the talent to raise his play to another level.
Lying in Wait
Todd Frazier +3300
Gary Sanchez +3300
Frazier has improved his HR totals from 19-29-35-40 over the last four seasons. Playing in U.S. Cellular Field also helps his cause immensely. Sanchez set the league ablaze when he blasted 20 homers in 51 games after being called up by the Yankees last August. He’s still green, but his power potential is through the roof, making him a smart bet at this price.