The Best Home Run Hitters in 2008
Which major league players had the best home run per official at bat averages in 2008? Twelve players stood above the rest. Do you know who they are?
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Twelve major leaguers hit a home run at a rate of .067 per at bat or better in 2008 (20 home runs minimum). There are some surprises on the list but most of the big hitters in baseball are on the list too. However the player with the best home run average in 2008 is not really a household name. Any idea who he is? I’ll list the dozen in descending order with the top home run hitter on the bottom and try to provide you with clues as to who he is on the way. Personally I was a little surprised by who it is but I threw him onto my fantasy team early last year because I knew he could hit home runs and my league rewards home runs richly.
11 tie) Jason Giambi – .067 Back with the A’s, will not make list in 2009.
Clue #1 – played on a playoff team in 2008.
11 tie) Manny Ramirez – .067 Now at .069 for career so 2008 was just Manny being
Manny.
Clue #2 – plays in the American League.
10) Jim Thome – .068 Career HR average is one of best of all time at .074.
Clue #3 – plays a key defensive position.
7 tie) Ryan Ludwick – .069 Prior to 2008 his career HR average was .044 and in 2780 minor league at bats was .050.
Clue #4 – not a Boston Red Sox player
7 tie) Jack Cust – .069 Unlike Ludwick, Cust has shown this kind of power in majors and minors before.
Clue #5 – Born in Hollywood (Florida).
7 tie) Alex Rodriguez – .069 Down from .093 in 2007. Now at .070 for career.
Clue #6 – not a Devil Ray.
6) Albert Pujols – .071 Career started at age 21 so if he stays healthy he could threaten many all time records.
Clue #7 – will be the magic age of 27 in 2009.
5) Carlos Quentin – .075 Will his wrist be OK in 2009?
Clue #8 – wasn’t drafted until the 17th round in 2000.
4) Adam Dunn – .077 Low batting average player but stats wise he is a great offensive player. J.P. Riccardi is crazy if he wouldn’t want this guy on his team.
Clue #9 – not a White Sox player.
2 tie) Ryan Howard – .079 Just a winning player. I bet the Phillies to win the World Series in 2007 and 2008. Howard, Utley, Rollins and Hamels is great talent for one team.
Clue #10 – Might have dated Alysso Milano at one time.
2 tie) Marcus Thames – .079 Not really a fluke. His HR average in 2007 was .067 and in 2006 was .075. And in AAA he hit 46 HR’s in 499 at bats in 2004-2005 for .092.
Clue #11 – think of Italy.
1) Mike Napoli – .088 First by a long way. Hit 20 HR’s in just 227 at bats. Did you guess him? He had great year with the bat in 2008 when he played (and maybe before that too if he really did date Alyssa Milano). He’ll never reach .088 again in his career but he did have a HR average of .071 in 2005 in the minors.
