5 MLB Players Experiencing Unprecedented Power Surges in 2019

2019... the year of the long ball. Baseballs are flying out of ballparks at rates never before seen. Players are hitting more home runs than ever, prompting many to wonder whether the baseballs were tinkered with or juiced. Whatever the case, some players are enjoying power breakouts after being relatively tame sluggers throughout most of their careers. Here are five players who are crushing the ball despite not previously being known as a power hitter.

1. Max Kepler

Minnesota Twins v Miami Marlins / Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Max Kepler hit 39 home runs combined in 2017 and 2018. He already has 30 in 2019, and could very well break the 40-bomb threshold. After slugging .408 last year, Kepler's brought that number all the way up to .558 this year, as he's clearly changed his approach at the dish. And it's paying off big time for the Twins' outfielder.

2. Josh Bell

Pittsburgh Pirates v Detroit Tigers / Dave Reginek/Getty Images

While Bell hit 26 home runs in 2017, that number dipped down to just 12 last year, in only 37 fewer plate appearances. Well, it's only early August, and Bell has already clubbed 27 bombs this season, slugging .585, his previous high being .466. Bell's breakout season has seen him tear the cover off the ball, in a way we've never seen out of the Pirates' first baseman.

3. Renato Núñez

Baltimore Orioles v San Diego Padres / Denis Poroy/Getty Images

The Orioles' slugger has emerged out of nowhere in 2019. He played in just 60 games last season, slugging .445 with 7 home runs. Well, in 104 games this year, he has 25 bombs and a .496 slugging percentage. No one saw this coming from the 25-year-old, as he's emerged as a bright spot in the O's lineup.

4. Ketel Marte

Arizona Diamondbacks v Miami Marlins / Mark Brown/Getty Images

Ketel Marte had 22 home runs in his entire career entering the 2019 season. Well, it's the beginning of August and the Diamondbacks star has 23 dingers under his belt. He's slugging .564 and looks a completely different player than in years past. Marte's highest slugging percentage prior to 2019 was the .437 mark he posted last year.

5. Ramon Laureano

Oakland Athletics v Seattle Mariners / Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images

Laureano was mostly known around baseball for being a defensive genius, capable of gunning out runners with the most ludicrous throws. Well, that narrative has shifted of late, as the A's outfielder's bat has been extraordinarily hot this summer. Despite just hitting the IL, Laureano did serious damage this year at the dish, crushing 21 home runs and slugging .518.