They just do not make hitters like Giancarlo Stanton. He is 6’6” 242 pounds. Most of that 242 pounds is muscle. Athletes with his size usually end up playing defensive end or bulking up to 300 pounds to play offensive tackle. People his size just don’t play baseball. I wish more would play our national past time. He makes baseball more exciting by hitting the ball with more power than anyone right now. He leads the league in distance per home run averaging 426 feet per. (min. 5 HRs)
I have had a man crush on him since 2010. I picked him up in my long time keeper league that year. I was looking for prospects to stash away and found this Mike Stanton guy who had hit 28 HRs in 2009 over two levels. I then realized he had hit 39 bombs in 2008 as an 18 year old in low-A ball. It did not take long for the Marlins to promote him in 2010, as he hit 21 dingers in just 192 at bats at AA Jacksonville. He went on to hit 22 more as a rookie that year in just 100 games. Did I mention he was just 20 years old that season.
There is no doubt with that track record that he has the power to lead the league in home runs year in and year out. The big question mark is if he can stay healthy. He only played 123 games in 2012 and 116 in 2013. Even with those injury plagued seasons he had 61 round trippers over those two seasons.
Now at the ripe old age of 24 he is just about to enter his prime years as a baseball player. What can we expect over the next 6 years? If he stays healthy he may be one of the few guys outside the steroid era to be a potential 50 home run guy year in and year out. Other than his health, there is only one thing that may hold him back and that is the Marlins home field. This year that does not seem to be holding him back as he has 13 of his 20 bombs at home. But, can you envision what he would do in a homer friendly park. The Marlins would be smart to lock him up. If they don’t, I hope he finds a hitter friendly field to play at so he can try to chase down the none-steroid era home run record of 62.
He has 20 home runs through 71 games this year. Additionally, he has kept his BA up around the .300 mark to go along with 5 steals. This is great production for a guy many marked as just a power hitter. He has also contributed on defense this year as he is ranked #2 among right fielders this year, per Fangraghs.
The injuries are what scare me. I had a chill go done my spine when I saw him hit that wall Wednesday. I had to sit down when I saw him swing and miss later in the game. He jumped and winced. He was then removed from the game. Giancarlo is back in the lineup tonight. That is a good sign. He needs to stay away from walls and hope that his body can hold up in the grueling 162 game season. I hope he can stay healthy, because Major League Baseball is more exciting with him in it. In addition to that reason, I own him on several fantasy teams and know I cannot replace his light tower power very easily. (SIA Profile)
Let me know if there is anyone else who you think could hang with Stanton’s power.
For the latest in sports injury news, check out our friends at sports injury alert.
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