Projecting Home Runs For the 2010 Minnesota Twins

Jim Thome's massive swings will now be a part of the upcoming Minnesota Twins season. His signing started me thinking about the number of home runs the team would hit this year. I believe Thome will get 400 plate appearances this season, which is more than many fans feel he will see. Here are how each player will fair in terms of hitting home runs along with their increase or decrease in home runs from last year. Far from scientific, but then again what projection is scientific?

Denard Span: 8 (+0)
JJ Hardy: 22 (+11)
Joe Mauer: 23 (-5)
Justin Morneau: 29 (-1)
Jason Kubel: 30 (+2)
Michael Cuddyer: 24 (-8)
Delmon Young: 9 (-4)
Brendan Harris: 4 (-2)
Nick Punto: 1 (+0)
Jim Thome: 21 (-2)
Bench: 8

Projected 2010 team total: 179 home runs

The team's 2009 total was 172 home runs so 2010 should see a slight increase in home runs. If Target Field becomes a favorable park for hitters these numbers could increase to possibly 190 still a far cry from the club record of 225 home runs hit by the Twins in 1963. Needless to say facing the Twins this year will be a difficult task for pitchers because most of the lineup will be able to drive the ball especially when Thome is in the lineup. Replace Harris with Danny Valencia at third base and add about 10 additional home runs from his bat alone. Finally, if Target Field proves to be hitter friendly and a few Twins add onto the home run totals I projected above fans will be following a team that will have hit over 200 home runs in 2010. That should put more than enough runs on the board for the team to win 90+ games.