11/17/2023

HR leader at Truist Park in the postseason


The baseball season is over. The Rangers won first World Series title in franchise history and Corey Seager slashed .318/.451/.682 with 6 home runs and 12 RBI in the 2023 postseason. In particular, he crushed 3 home runs at Globe Life Field and by far in his career, he already blasted 10 home runs at this ball park in the playoffs. While seeing Seager’s great performance in the postseason, I began to think about a question.

 

Globe Life Field is the newest ballpark and now the home run leader in the postseason is Corey Seager. How about the second newest ballpark? Are there many players who have crushed multiple home runs at that ballpark in the postseason?

 

To understand a little bit more, I went to check on the statcast website.

 

Truist Park (SunTrust Park in 2017), home of the Atlanta Braves, was opened in 2017. However, the Braves didn’t clinch a postseason berth in 2017. But, from 2018 to 2023, the Braves have clinched a post in the postseason for 6 straight times. The most memorable season is probably the 2021 season, in which the team won the World Series title. From 2018 to 2023, the Braves played 19 postseason games in Truist Park. So, who has smashed more home runs than any other players at this ballpark in the postseason?

 

Home Runs (Truist Park, Postseason, 2018~2023)

Player

HR

Freddie Freeman

4

Travis d’Arnaud

3

Adam Duvall

Joc Pederson

2

Austin Riley

Ronald Acuna Jr.

 

Well, the result might not be so surprising.

 

Freddie Freeman played for the Braves from 2010 to 2021. During these 12 seasons, he slashed .295/.384/.509 with 271 home runs and 941 RBI. By far in his career, he already smashed 71 home runs at Truist Park. In the playoffs, Freeman crushed 4 home runs at this ballpark. The most unforgettable home run is probably that, in 2021, he crushed a home run against Josh Hader in the bottom of the 8th inning in NLDS Game 4. That home run helped the Braves win the game and the team advanced to the NLCS.

 

In addition, Travis d’Arnaud and Adam Duvall each hit 3 home runs in Truist Park in the postseason. These 2 players each crushed a home run at this ballpark in the 2021 World Series. In particular, Adam Duvall smashed a grand slam in Game 5.

 

Finally, Joc Pederson, Austin Riley and Ronald Acuna Jr. are the other players who have multiple home runs at this ballpark in the postseason. Pederson blasted 2 home runs in Truist Park in the 2021 season, one was a 3-run shot and the other was a 2-run HR. And, this postseason, Austin Riley hit a go-ahead home run in the bottom of the 8th inning in NLDS Game 2. The Braves won the NLDS Game 2, which was the only win that Braves got this postseason.

 

The Braves have clinched a postseason berth for 6 straight seasons. And, over these 2 seasons, they each won 100+ games during the regular season. Without doubt, in the coming seasons, it’s highly possible to frequently see the Braves play October baseball and host postseason games in Truist Park. Additionally, we shall see the Braves players crush home runs at this ballpark in October. However, who will be the first player to surpass Freeman in postseason home runs at Truist Park?

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