NEWSLETTER
It was October 19th the last time the Chicago Cubs took the field, which means – at least, if you’re anything like me – you’re dying for some Cubs highlights.
Well fortunately, over at MLB.com, there’s a collection of the Cubs’ five longest homers of the year and it’s one awesome video/trip back into the 2017 season.
But before you click play, can you guess who owns them? What about the very top spot, do you remember who it was? Before watching, I figured that Kyle Schwarber, Javy Baez, and Kris Bryant would all be on the board, with one of those three launching the furthest of the season. But I was wrong … twice.
Take a look:
Cubs Longest HRs of the Year
- Willson Contreras – 491 feet
- Kyle Schwarber – 470 feet
- Kyle Schwarber – 467 feet
- Javy Baez – 463 feet
- Anthony Rizzo – 462 feet
Despite boasting arguably the best in-game power of the bunch (actually, is that even true? The Cubs have some SERIOUS power, man), none of Kris Bryant’s 29 homers were among the Cubs’ deepest of the season. And his furthest this past season, according to ESPN Home Run Tracker, came up nearly 15 feet short of the top five (448 feet).
And as for the top spot … I can’t believe I forgot about Willson Contreras’ absolute BLAST at Wrigley during the NLCS. That left field video board may feel like it’s well within home run distance, but it’s rarely hit at all, let alone that high up the board. That was unbelievable.
Although Contreras’ 21 homers were just sixth most on the Cubs this season, his 20.4 PA/homer actually ranked third best, ahead of Bryant and Rizzo:
Plate Appearances per Home Run
- Kyle Schwarber: 16.2 PA/HR
- Ian Happ: 17.2 PA/HR
- Willson Contreras: 20.4 PA/HR
- Javy Baez: 22.1 PA/HR
- Anthony Rizzo: 21.6 PA/HR
- Kris Bryant: 22.9 PA/HR
I can’t wait to see what he does with a full season of plate appearances next year.
