30 home runs

Previously, I listened to a podcast show and former All-Star Andre Ethier was sharing his experience with the Dodgers. He was a two-time All-Star and had 162 home runs in his career. I remember that in 2009, he crushed 31 home runs and the broadcaster indicated that he was the first Dodger to hit 30 home runs since 2004, when Adrian Beltre crushed 48 home runs. It took a few years to see another player in the Dodgers hit 30 home runs. So, how hard is it to hit 30 home runs in a single season?

Back in 2009, Andre Ethier had 31 home runs. Alex Rodriguez had 30 home runs. The home run leader in 2009 was Albert Pujols, who crushed 47 home runs. In that season, 30 players had at least 30 home runs. The next season, Jose Bautista had a monster season, smashing 54 homers. However, there were only 18 players who crushed at least 30 home runs. In 2011, Jose Bautista blasted 43 home runs and became the leader in home runs again. And, in that season, 24 players had at least 30 home runs. In the 2012 season, Miguel Cabrera crushed 44 home runs, leading the majors. Mike Trout, the 2012 Rookie of the year winner, blasted 30 home runs and had 49 stolen bases. No.27 had first season with 30 home runs. 27 players hit at least 30 homers in 2012. However, there were fewer players to hit 30+ home runs in 2013. In total, 14 players had at least 30 homers in 2013. The home run leader in 2013 was Chris Davis, who smashed 53 homers. And, in 2014, there were even fewer hitters to have 30+ home runs. The home run leader was Nelson Cruz, who had 40 homers. In 2015, Chris Davis became the home leader again and he had 47 home runs. In that season, there were 20 batters who had at least 30 home runs. In the 2016 season, 38 players had at least 30 home runs. Mark Trumbo was the home leader in 2016 with 47 homers. The next season, Giancarlo Stanton had a fantastic season. He blasted 59 home runs and won the NL MVP award. In total, there were 41 players who hit at least 30 home runs. Nonetheless, the number dropped to 27 in 2018. Khris Davis blasted 48 home runs in 2018, leading the majors. But, the show was very different in 2019. More than 50 hitters blasted at least 30 home runs in 2019. The NL Rookie of the year winner Pete Alonso led the majors with 53 home runs. Since 2016, we have already seen 3 seasons to have at least 30 players to hit at least 30 home runs. Is it the result of the launch angle revolution? Well, more players hit the ball into the air and we might not be surprised to see this result. We didn’t see a player who had 30+ home runs last season because it was a shortened season. In 2021, Shohei Ohtani and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. each crushed more than 30 homers already. By far, more than 20 players have at least 20 home runs. With two more months to go, how many players will finish this season with at least 30 home runs?