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Stanton and Judge Favored to Lead MLB in Home Runs in 2019

Ryan Murphy

by Ryan Murphy in MLB Baseball

Updated May 14, 2020 · 3:20 PM PDT

Yankees sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton
Fans can expect to see a lot of home run celebrations between Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in 2019. Photo by Keith Allison (flickr).
  • Oddsmakers expect Giancarlo Stanton to lead the Major Leagues in home runs in 2019
  • Can Aaron Judge unseat his teammate with a bounce-back year?
  • Will Khris Davis have another monster season for the Oakland A’s?

Fans at Yankee Stadium can look forward to going home with plenty of souvenirs in 2019 as Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge are favored to lead the Major Leagues in home runs.

Stanton has the shorter odds at +700, but Judge isn’t far behind at +1000.

Major League Baseball Home Run Odds

Who Will Lead Major League Baseball in Home Runs in 2019? Odds
Giancarlo Stanton (Yankees) +700
Aaron Judge (Yankees) +1000
JD Martinez (Red Sox) +1800
Mike Trout (Angels) +2000
Joey Gallo (Rangers) +2000
Khris Davis (Athletics) +2000
Bryce Harper (Free Agent) +2500
Nolan Arenado (Rockies) +3000
Matt Olson (Athletics) +3000
Nelson Cruz (Mariners) +4000
Manny Machado (Free Agent) +5000

Seeing Stanton and Judge’s names at the top of the list is hardly surprising considering their prodigious power. The 6’6″ Stanton led the Majors in home runs in 2014 and 2017 and has finished in the top 10 in dingers six times in his nine-year career. He only hit 38 homers in his first year in pinstripes, but that number is likely to rise in 2019 as he continues to adjust to American League pitchers after spending the bulk of his career in the NL.

Judge, meanwhile, set the Major League record for most home runs by a rookie in 2017 when he went deep 52 times. His home run total plummeted to 27 last season after he fractured a bone in his right wrist, but he bounced back with three postseason bombs against the A’s and Red Sox.

2018 Major League Baseball Home Run Leaders

Player 2018 Regular Season Home Run Total
Khris Davis (Athletics) 48
JD Martinez (Red Sox) 43
Joey Gallo (Rangers) 40
Mike Trout (Angels) 39
Jose Ramirez (Indians) 39
Giancarlo Stanton (Yankees) 38
Nolan Arenado (Rockies) 38
Francisco Lindor (Indians) 38
Trevor Story (Rockies) 37
Nelson Cruz (Mariners) 37

Stanton and Judge aren’t the only teammates to crack the top 10. They’re joined by Oakland A’s sluggers Khris Davis and Matt Olson. Davis led all players in home runs in 2018 with 48, and Olson hit 29 round-trippers in his first full season in the Bigs.

Rounding out the list are Red Sox DH JD Martinez, Angels outfielder Mike Trout, Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo, Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, Mariners outfielder Nelson Cruz, and free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado.

Harper and Machado are both intriguing options, but the uncertainty over where they’ll be playing next makes them a risky bet. So much depends upon the size and dimensions of their new home park and the protection they’ll receive in the order.

All Rise for Aaron Judge

Consider, for a moment, all of the legendary sluggers who have suited up for the Yankees. It’s a parade of all-time greats that begins with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig and continues unabated with Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Reggie Jackson, and Alex Rodriguez.

Now consider this: Judge holds the Yankees’ single-season record for most home runs hit at home. He also clobbered more home runs in his rookie season and more home runs in his first seven home playoff games than any of the aforementioned Hall of Famers.

The 26-year-old was well on his way to leading the Majors in home runs last year before getting plunked by a pitch on July 26th. The injury kept him out of the lineup for a month and a half, and it took Judge more than a dozen games back to regain his rhythm.

He’s now back to full health – as evidenced by his postseason performance – and should lead the Majors in taters in 2019.

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