Pittsburgh Pirates Slugger Joins Game's Best on Elite Home Run List
When you think of the best home run hitters in baseball, you don't immediately jump to Jack Suwinski of the Pittsburgh Pirates, but maybe you should.
The slugger is in some rare air with some of the best home run hitters in the sport, per this list from ESPN Stats & Info:
11 of Shohei Ohtani's HR this season would've been be a HR in all 30 parks. That's tied for the most in MLB this season (Alonso, Acuña Jr., Suwinski & Olson).
Sure, the original stat was about Ohtani, but it shouldn't be missed that Suwinski is right there with Ohtani and Pete Alonso, who lead baseball in homers with 22, and Acuna, who leads the world in home run distances this season.
The 24-year-old Suwinski is hitting .243 this year with a .358 on-base percentage. He's slugged 15 homers and driven in 35 runs while stealing six bases.
He made his major league debut in 2022, playing in 106 games, but has become an integral part of the Pirates resurgence this year.
He's a lifetime .217 hitter with 34 homers and 73 RBI. He hit just .202 in 2022, so his development is tangible.
The Pirates enter play on Friday at 34-33 and in first place in the National League Central. They are 0.5 games up on the Milwaukee Brewers but have lost three straight after being swept by the Chicago Cubs.
They'll have a crucial series with the Brewers this weekend. On Friday night, Rich Hill pitches for Pittsburgh against Julio Teheran.
First pitch is 8:10 p.m. ET.
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