Home Run Power Is Tampa Bay Rays' Biggest Strength So Far In 2016

Heading into the 2016 season, the Tampa Bay Rays were banking on their starting rotation carrying the team and keeping them in contention for a playoff spot deep into the year. Unfortunately for the Rays, that has not been the case, as only Jake Odorizzi is meeting or exceeding preseason expectations among the team’s starting pitchers. However, while Tampa’s starters have struggled, the Rays have excelled in another area: home run hitting, which has been the team’s biggest strength so far this season.

Leading the way for the Rays, somewhat surprisingly, has been third baseman Evan Longoria. After a few seasons of steady decline, Longoria has re-emerged in 2016 and is quietly having one of the best seasons of his career for the last-place Rays. Barely one-third through the season, Longoria has already hit 14 home runs, putting him on pace to hit over 40 homers and surpass his previous career high of 33, which he set all the way back in 2009.

Of course, Longoria is getting plenty of support in Tampa Bay’s lineup. Steven Souza Jr. has done well now that he has been given the chance to play every day, already hitting 10 home runs, putting himself into position to eclipse last year’s total of 16. Corey Dickerson has also shown plenty of home run power for the Rays, despite a terrible average and no longer playing in Coors Field. Steve Pearce has also been a regular contributor in the power department, hitting eight home runs in a part-time role.

But it’s not just a handful of players giving the Rays the most home runs in baseball this season; nearly everyone has contributed. Before each went to the DL, Logan Forsythe, Kevin Kiermaier and Brandon Guyer all contributed a healthy number of home runs. The likes of Logan Morrison, Brad Miller and even catcher Curt Casali have shown plenty of home run power.

The issue the Rays have had is that they are not hitting for a high enough average and getting enough players on base to take advantage of all the home runs they’re hitting. Hitting the long ball has been nice for Tampa Bay in 2016, but without doing more to complement that team-wide skill, the Rays may struggle to get out of the AL East basement.