Thanks to ESPN’s Home Run Tracker, we can now quickly examine every home run of the MLB season – and quickly learn who hits the ball the farthest both in a single instance and with consistency over the season. And, when we look at the clan of long-ballers, there are some surprises. The long-distance leaders are not the names we often associate with the long ball. For example, for 2013, neither the longest home run nor the longest average home run distance belong to the power hitters who went deep in the greatest numbers – like Chris Davis and Miguel Cabrera (who finished 1 & 2 in AL homers) or NL co-leaders Pedro Alverez and Paul Goldschmidt. Instead, we find names like Evan Gattis, Mike Trout, Mark Trumbo and Justin Upton. Let’s take a look at MLB’s recent long-distance leaders. (Note: If you are planning to take part in this year’s Ballpark Tours treks, pay attention, some of this information may be on the “Kwiz”.)
Evan Gattis – blasted 2013’s longest home run.
The longest home run of the 2013 season belongs to the Atlanta Braves 26-year-old rookie catcher/outfielder Evan Gattis, who drove one of his 21 round trippers on the year 486 feet. The shot to centerfield came on September 8 against the Phillies’ Cole Hamels – with the wind blowing in at Philadelphia’s Citzens Bank Park. Over the in American League, 2013’s longest home run belongs to the Angels’ first baseman/outfielder Mark Trumbo, who belted one 475 feet against Oakland’s Dan Sally (in Oakland on April 29). The only other MLBers to reach 475 feet in 2013 were the Giants’ Hunter Pence (476) and the Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo (475). The last 500-footer in the majors? Then Diamondback Adam Dunn blasted one 504 feet on September 27, 2008 (off the Rockies’ Glendon Rusch at Arizona).
When it comes to consistent distance, 2013’s top spot (among hitters with 20 or more homers) belongs to the Angels’ five-tool outfielder Mike Trout, whose 27 2013 home runs traveled an average distance of 419.6 feet. In the NL, the top spot went to Braves’ outfielder Justin Upton, who also went deep 27 times, for an average distance of 416.3 feet.
Mike Trout – his 27 homers averaged 419.6 feet.
Here are your top five 2013 finishers in average distance:
Mike Trout, Angels, 419.6 feet
Justin Upton, Braves 416.3
Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins 413.8
Mark Trunbo, Angels 413.2
Mike Napoli, Red Sox 412.3
Here is a look at the last five years on the long ball charts, with the Major League leader listed first.
2013
Longest Home Run: MLB/NL – Evan Gattis, Braves, 486 feet; AL – Mark Trumbo, Angels, 475 feet.
Average Distance: MLB/AL – Mike Trout, Angels, 419.6 feet; NL – Justin Upton, Braves, 416.3 feet.
2012
Longest Home Run: MLB/NL – Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins, 494 feet; AL – Edwin Encarnacion, Blue jays, 488 feet.
Average Distance: MLB/AL – Nelson Cruz, Rangers, 418.6 feet; NL – Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies, 413.7 feet.
2011
Longest Home Run: MLB/NL – Prince Fielder, Brewers, 486 feet; AL – Mark Trumbo, Angels, 472 feet.
Average Distance: MLB/NL – Justin Upton, Diamondbacks, 423.6; AL – Alex Gordon, Royals, 414.7 feet.
2010
Longest Home Run: MLB/AL – Josh Hamilton, Rangers, 485 feet; NL – Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks, 481 feet.
Average Distance: MLB/AL – Josh Hamilton, Rangers, 421.1 feet; NL – Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks, 420.1 feet.
2009
Longest Home Run: MLB/NL – Wladimir Balentien, Reds, 495 feet; AL – Josh Hamilton, Rangers, 471 feet.
Average Distance: MLB/NL – Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks, 419.5 feet; AL – Nelson Cruz, Rangers, 417 feet.
