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Predicting The Detroit Tigers’ Top 5 Home Run Hitters For 2016

Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Despite finishing in last place in the AL Central with a record of 74-87 this past season, the Detroit Tigers still had a very solid offense. The Tigers ranked first in the AL in batting average (.270), second in on-base percentage (.328) and third in wRC+ (103). However, they ranked only 18th in MLB with 151 home runs, which is a number that should easily improve this coming season if everything goes according to plan. Here is a prediction of the Tigers’ top five home run hitters for 2016.

5. Victor Martinez -- 16 Home Runs

Victor Martinez -- 16 Home Runs Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Last February, Victor Martinez suffered another knee injury during an offseason workout and went on to have a rough year, hitting only .245 with 11 homers and a .667 OPS. Although it may be a bit unrealistic to expect the now 37-year-old to return to his 2014 AL MVP runner-up form, the career .302 hitter's batting average should come back up and 16 home runs (half of his total from 2014) should be within reach.

Last February, Victor Martinez suffered another knee injury during an offseason workout and went on to have a rough year, hitting only .245 with 11 homers and a .667 OPS. Although it may be a bit unrealistic to expect the now 37-year-old to return to his 2014 AL MVP runner-up form, the career .302 hitter's batting average should come back up and 16 home runs (half of his total from 2014) should be within reach.

4. Nick Castellanos -- 20 Home Runs

Nick Castellanos -- 20 Home Runs Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
After hitting 15 home runs overall and posting a 116 wRC+ in the second half of last season, Nick Castellanos may very well be poised to take his game to the next level. Understandably, many would probably still take the under on 20 home runs, but the soon-to-be 24-year-old Castellanos should have a decent chance to meet that benchmark.

After hitting 15 home runs overall and posting a 116 wRC+ in the second half of last season, Nick Castellanos may very well be poised to take his game to the next level. Understandably, many would probably still take the under on 20 home runs, but the soon-to-be 24-year-old Castellanos should have a decent chance to meet that benchmark.

3. Justin Upton -- 30 Home Runs

Justin Upton -- 30 Home Runs Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Over his nine-year career, the still only 28-year-old Justin Upton has already racked up 190 home runs. However, he has only crossed the 30-homer threshold once in a season, hitting 31 long balls for the Arizona Diamondbacks back in 2011. Considering the fact that Upton will be hitting in a power-packed lineup with better protection than usual, though, his second 30-homer season shouldn't be out of the question.

Over his nine-year career, the still only 28-year-old Justin Upton has already racked up 190 home runs. However, he has only crossed the 30-homer threshold once in a season, hitting 31 long balls for the Arizona Diamondbacks back in 2011. Considering the fact that Upton will be hitting in a power-packed lineup with better protection than usual, though, his second 30-homer season shouldn't be out of the question.

2. Miguel Cabrera -- 32 Home Runs

Miguel Cabrera -- 32 Home Runs Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Fresh off of his fourth batting title in five years, Miguel Cabrera continues to be one of, if not the best hitter in all of baseball. He missed time with a Grade 3 calf strain last summer and only hit 18 home runs overall, but his power numbers should easily revert to their career norms as long as he can stay healthy. It is also worth noting that unlike the past couple of years, Cabrera isn't coming off of an offseason surgery either. The two-time AL MVP could very well report to spring training strong and ready for yet another monster year. Don't be surprised if he notches the 10th 30-plus homer season of his career.

Fresh off of his fourth batting title in five years, Miguel Cabrera continues to be one of, if not the best hitter in all of baseball. He missed time with a Grade 3 calf strain last summer and only hit 18 home runs overall, but his power numbers should easily revert to their career norms as long as he can stay healthy. It is also worth noting that unlike the past couple of years, Cabrera isn't coming off of an offseason surgery either. The two-time AL MVP could very well report to spring training strong and ready for yet another monster year. Don't be surprised if he notches the 10th 30-plus homer season of his career.

1. J.D. Martinez -- 35 Home Runs

J.D. Martinez -- 35 Home Runs Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
After being released by the Houston Astros in spring training of 2014 only to be picked up by the Tigers and have a breakout season, J.D. Martinez proved that he was anything but a fluke in 2015. Martinez hit .282 with 38 homers and an .879 OPS last year, and another 35-plus homer season doesn't seem too far fetched at this point.

After being released by the Houston Astros in spring training of 2014 only to be picked up by the Tigers and have a breakout season, J.D. Martinez proved that he was anything but a fluke in 2015. Martinez hit .282 with 38 homers and an .879 OPS last year, and another 35-plus homer season doesn't seem too far fetched at this point.

Brad Faber is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.
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