MLB's Top Home Run Hitters: How Will They Finish 2009?

With the MLB season coming to a close, baseball's top home-run hitters are bearing down and trying to finish strong by sending more and more balls over the fence.

Sure, there may not be the McGwire-Sosa steroids fueled battle of yesteryear, but it's always fun to watch the best power hitters in baseball hit the long ball. So how are today's sluggers going to finish?

No. 1: Albert Pujols

The Machine has been exactly that for the Cardinals this year. He has led them to a 10-game lead in the N.L. Central and has put up astounding individual stats while doing it.

He's almost a lock to win another MVP.

As of this moment, Pujols is holding steady at 42 home runs. I would like to see him hit 50, but seeing as how he's never hit that mark, and with the pressure of making the playoffs basically over with, I expect to see him rested and taking it easy from here on out.

Projection: 48 HR

No. 2: Mark Reynolds

The Diamondbacks' slugger has made leaps and bounds at the plate in just his third year. Sitting pretty at 40 home runs, he too does not have the pressure of making the playoffs upon him, either, but for the wrong reasons.

Projection: 48 HR

No. 3: Carlos Pena

The Rays slugger has found his way ever since arriving in Tampa Bay two years ago. He hit 46 home runs his first year there and 31 the next. This year he is sitting at 39 and in the midst of a long-shot playoff run.

Pena has the ability to come on strong at the end, but I don't see him matching Pujols or Reynolds.

Projection: 46 HR

No. 4: Ryan Howard

Ryan Howard is one of the most natural home run hitters in baseball today. The big man cracked 58 in his first full season for the Phillies and continues to be a home-run threat every night. He has just 37 now and is also waiting to waltz into the playoffs.

I do expect to see some fireworks from Howard at the end of the season as he tries to get his team hyped up for another World Series run.

Projection: 46 HR

No. 5: Prince Fielder

Another hefty lefty, Fielder is another natural home-run hitter whose swing seems designed for little else than sending baseballs hurtling through the atmosphere.

With 36 home runs right now, Fielder should break the 40 mark for the second time in his career.

Projection: 42 HR

No. 6: Adam Dunn

The Big Donkey does two things often: hit home runs and strikeout. It's go big or go home for the Nationals' slugger. This season has been no different. He has 35 home runs and 135 strikeouts.

With Washington in the midst of another terrible season, Dunn may have some trouble getting motivated enough to finish the season strong, but I don't see any reason why he can't make it five straight seasons with exactly 40 home runs.

Projection: 40 HR

No. 7: Adrian Gonzalez

Yet another player whose playoffs chances are nonexistent, Gonzalez has been content to crank out home runs for the Padres over the past three seasons and has 34 this year. However, he has yet to hit the 40 mark, and I don't see him doing it this year.

Projection: 39 HR

No. 8: Mark Teixeira

After a slow start in the Bronx, Teixeira has really made his mark on the Yankees and has even started generating some MVP talk. His 32 home runs this season have helped that, just as it's helped the Yankees roll to the front of the A.L. East.

Looking for any momentum they can get heading into the playoffs, I predict that Teixeira will continue to have a monster season at the plate.

Projection: 40 HR

No. 9: Russell Branyan

Can we say "steroid watch?" Branyan has hit 20 home runs just once in his 14-year career before going for 31 already this season.

It's hard to project many more home runs from a man who just now has become a home-run hitter.

Projection: 35 HR

No. 10: Aaron Hill

After an injury-plagued 2008 season, Hill is back and has continued to show his improvements as a power hitter. He has 31 home runs this season for the Blue Jays and looks like he could be a force for Toronto for many years to come if he can stay healthy.

Projection: 37 HR