Edwin Encarnacion ties franchise record with 12 home runs in May (Video)
By Hayden Kane
Could Toronto Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion emerge as an American League MVP candidate?
He has sure hit like one this month. With the Toronto Blue Jays on a six game winning streak, Encarnacion has been the star on offense. On Sunday he delivered a key hit in a game that ended up being a low-scoring affair when he blasted a solo home run off Drew Pomeranz (the Blue Jays won 3-1).
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Encarnacion’s isolated power (slugging percentage minus batting average) is an impressive .289. That mark places him right there among the elite power hitters in all of baseball, including Troy Tulowitzki, Giancarlo Stanton, and Jose Abreu.
Encarnacion broke out, seemingly out of nowhere, with a huge season back in 2012. He hit 42 home runs and had 110 RBI that year. Many people expected him to be a one-hit wonder and have his numbers come crashing down to earth in 2013. Not so, as Encarnacion went on to hit 36 home runs and drive in 104.
He got off to a slow start last month, but this outburst in May seems to show that Encarnacion plans to continue his path as one of the best power hitters in all of baseball in 2014. He and Jose Bautista combine to form an intimidating duo for any opposing pitcher, especially in the hitter-friendly confines of the Rogers Centre.
Can the Blue Jays keep it up and make a run at an American League East title? There is a lot of season left, of course, but if they do it very well might mean that Encarnacion posts gaudy numbers once again.
Check out video of the massive home run from Encarnacion below: