What happened to the pure slugger in baseball?

For decades, baseball has witnessed a shift in the emphasis placed on home runs by teams and players alike. In the past, a dominant offense would be followed by a period of pitching prowess, which then led to an increased focus on slugging. However, after the steroid era, it became commonplace for the leader in home runs to fall short of 50, sometimes even dipping below 45 in a single season.

Over time, this trend has gradually evolved, with the leading home run hitter typically ending the season with 60 or more. This year, though, has seen a slight regression as Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies is currently leading the league with only 40 home runs. If he manages to finish the season at 47, it will be the lowest count in a decade, excluding the shortened 2020 season.

While Schwarber is not guaranteed to win the home run race, there are five other players who are merely a few games away from tying the lead. The real intrigue lies not only in determining the winner but also in understanding how many home runs will be required for a player to claim the prestigious title. Currently, seven players are on track to hit at least 40 home runs, and it remains to be seen whether any of them can muster the necessary fire to surpass the 45-home run mark.

Overall, the season has not displayed a scarcity of long balls, leading some to wonder if the change in distribution is the reason for more players hitting a dozen home runs instead of a select few reaching 55. As we ponder this, we invite you to consider the ideal number of home runs for the top slugger in baseball and the number of homers we should expect from the season's best. Keep an eye out for the results of these surveys and other SB Nation Reacts surveys in the coming week!