Power hitter Stanton stuns Cubs’ OF, gets Yankees’ kudos

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Giancarlo Stanton‘s status as one of baseball’s premier power hitters remains unshaken, even amid recent struggles. The Yankees’ slugger recently reached a notable milestone, becoming the only active player with 10 seasons of 25 or more home runs, underscoring his remarkable consistency as a power threat.

Despite a Yankees tenure marred by injuries, Stanton’s home run prowess endures. His ability to launch balls deep into the stands continues to captivate fans and players alike, including Cubs outfielder Ian Happ. During a recent episode of “The Compound Podcast,” Happ shared his first experience at Yankee Stadium, where he witnessed Stanton blast a homer that soared over his head at an estimated 120 mph. Happ described it as the loudest, hardest-hit ball he had ever seen in person, highlighting the slugger’s extraordinary power.

Stanton’s reputation for hitting the hardest home runs in baseball is well-founded. He owns the record for the hardest-hit home run in MLB history—a 121.7 mph shot against the Rangers on August 9, 2018. Stanton’s name appears five times among the top 10 hardest-hit homers ever recorded, further solidifying his legacy as one of the most powerful hitters in the game.

Although Stanton’s strikeout rate remains high, his impact when he connects is undeniable. He is currently tied with Mets legend Mike Piazza for 51st on the all-time home run list, each boasting 427 career blasts.

Yankees in awe of Stanton’s hitting ability

Before a ceremony honoring the 15th anniversary of the Yankees’ 2009 World Series championship team, manager Aaron Boone was asked to assess potential Hall of Famers among his current players. After some thought, Boone named four players who he believes have a legitimate shot at Cooperstown, while acknowledging that others could still carve out Hall of Fame-worthy careers.

Boone’s remarks came ahead of the celebration for a team that included Hall of Famers Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, along with CC Sabathia, who is expected to be a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame ballot soon after retiring with 251 career wins.

Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, and Juan Soto are likely among the top players Boone had in mind. Soto, still early in his career, has a long road ahead, while Judge and Cole are approaching major career milestones as they near or surpass ten years in the big leagues.

Judge recently hit his 300th career home run in his ninth season, and Cole notched his 150th win in his 12th season just days before Boone’s comments. Soto, now in his seventh season, is closing in on 200 home runs, and his future accomplishments—whether in New York or elsewhere—will continue to bolster his Hall of Fame credentials.

Boone’s perspective underscores the level of talent present on the current Yankees roster and draws an intriguing link between the celebrated 2009 champions and the potential Hall of Fame legacies being built by today’s players.

Giancarlo Stanton is likely the fourth player Boone considered when discussing potential Hall of Famers on the current Yankees roster. With 427 career home runs, he has matched Mike Piazza’s total, although he achieved this in fewer games and one less year than the Hall of Fame catcher.

Stanton’s home run tally could be even more impressive if not for his injury issues with the Yankees. During his eight seasons with the Marlins, he hit 267 home runs over 986 games. In contrast, Stanton has managed 160 home runs in 645 games with the Yankees, a rate hampered by injuries since 2019.

Stanton’s Yankees debut in 2018 was strong, with a .266 average, 38 home runs, and 100 RBIs. His most consistent year came in 2021, when he batted .273 with 35 home runs and 97 RBIs in 139 games, finishing the season on a high note.

However, Stanton’s batting average has dipped in recent seasons, dropping to .211 and .191 in successive years. His average for the current season stands at .244, reducing his career average to .258.

Despite recent injuries and lower averages raising questions about his Hall of Fame credentials, Stanton’s power numbers remain impressive. At nearly 35 years old, he continues to climb the all-time home run list. The slugger recently joined an elite group with at least 25 home runs in 10 different seasons, achieving this milestone in a recent game prior to a blown save by Clay Holmes.

Stanton’s career illustrates the complexities of Hall of Fame discussions, weighing extraordinary power numbers against challenges in consistency and longevity.

Giancarlo Stanton’s lower batting average has not diminished the admiration for his formidable power. His at-bats remain highly anticipated events, given his ability to hit extraordinary home runs.

In May, Stanton set a record for exit velocity with a home run against the Houston Astros, earning notable praise from both teammates and manager Aaron Boone. Boone described the homer as “weird,” struggling to find the right words to capture its significance. Teammate Aaron Judge remarked that Stanton had already hit the hardest ball in baseball the previous night, indicating that Stanton was “locked in” and showcasing his ability to use the entire field.

Boone has previously compared Stanton’s hitting power to that of Gary Sheffield while emphasizing Stanton’s unique talents. The manager noted Stanton’s ability to transition from breaking his bat to hitting balls at extraordinary speeds.

While being a captivating player does not automatically ensure Hall of Fame induction, as seen with figures like Darryl Strawberry and Alex Rodriguez, Stanton’s candidacy could gain traction if he surpasses 500 career home runs and maintains his health.

Despite recent challenges for the team, the Yankees value Stanton’s slugging prowess when he is on the field. Gerrit Cole praised the slugger as a genuine slugger who rarely hits “cheap” home runs, predicting that Stanton will likely surpass 500 career home runs and affirming his status as one of the best sluggers of their generation.

The appreciation from teammates and management highlights Stanton’s significant impact and potential legacy, even as questions about his Hall of Fame chances linger due to injury-related inconsistencies.

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