Li Hao-yu sets two of the Tigers’ three longest home runs in just nine days

The Detroit Tigers have been repeatedly beaten in recent games, but Taiwanese power hitter Li Hao-yu has emerged as one of the few bright spots in the lineup. His latest home run was also another reminder of the force behind his rookie-season numbers.

Li’s eighth homer came against Twins prospect Taj Bradley. The ball traveled 439 feet and accounted for Detroit’s only run of the game. It ranked as the third-longest home run hit by the Tigers this season.

The team’s longest homer this year also came from Li, a 446-foot solo shot against Royals right-hander Michael Wacha. The two blasts came just nine days apart.

Sports Illustrated noted that, before the game, Li was batting .270 with a .316 on-base percentage and a .426 slugging percentage, along with eight homers and 34 RBIs. His 41.2% hard-hit rate and 9.1% barrel rate both exceeded MLB averages of 37.1% and 7.6%.

The numbers do not make Li a finished product. His 22.7% strikeout rate and 6.4% walk rate show that his plate discipline still needs work. With more consistent starts at second and third base, the Tigers can assess whether his power will continue to grow or whether eight homers is close to his current ceiling. He has already shown that he can produce Detroit’s hardest and most powerful contact.