Josh Willingham went on the DL with a torn meniscus. He will be out 4-6 weeks. Currently, the Hammer leads the club with 10 homers. There are several on the team with 8 long balls and another (near) half dozen that have hit 6 or 7 homers this year.

 

My poll question is: when Willingham returns to the team in August, who will be leading the club in long balls?

 

Joe Mauer. The team's best hitter will take the lead in long balls

 

Chris Parmelee. Parmelee hits more of his homers on the road and that is where the club will be playing most of their games from now until August.

 

Trevor Plouffe. Trevor hit three on the homestand and seems to have his long-ball swing going.

 

Ryan Doumit. Doumit is due for another extra-base binge.

 

Justin Morneau. Also seemed to find his power stroke on the homestand.

 

Oswaldo Arcia. Hasn't had as many at-bats, but he has six homers.

 

Aaron Hicks. He seems to hit homers in bunches.

 

Brian Dozier. He hit five homers in June, if he hits five in July, he'll probably being leading the team

 

Josh Willingham. The Hammer is the Twins best home run threat.

I'm guessing Plouffe, with Arcia the next best bet. Please let it be Morneau...

 

I still find myself surprised every time Plouffe hits a homerun. I know the camera angle has a significant impact on what you see, but most of his homeruns look like popups until they switch to the camera looking to the outfield tracking the ball. He doesn't really look like he's swinging hard either, which adds to the effect.

 

Arcia takes violent swings. He's the most fun to watch hitting in the entire lineup right now. Every once in a while Morneau still swings like this, but I've lost my belief in him, sadly.

Parmelee! It'll be him or Plouffe. Mauer will get close too.

Plouffe is the sexy pick, which may be the only time anyone calls Plouffe sexy. But I think Arcia is going to surprise. He'll spot ya a half season lead and still hit 20.