All 30 MLB Teams' Most Powerful Sluggers

There's definitely something to be said for hitting for average, reaching the gaps and getting on base.

But there's just something about seeing a home run reach the stands that sets fans off. Every team has players capable of going deep every time they reach the plate, and while some certainly are more apt than others, there are definitely players that you just can't help but watch when they reach the batter's box.

Sluggers will be setting their sights on spring training in less than a month as they prepare for the 2012 season, with veterans and prospects alike combining to build a case for their upcoming successes.

Here are some of the best sluggers each team is poised to put out on the field this season.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Paul Goldschmidt

Height: 6'3'' Weight: 245

Despite only playing a couple months with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011, Paul Goldschmidt managed to go deep eight times while posting a .250 batting average (27 HR in a 162 game average).

At only 24, Goldschmidt is setting himself up for plenty of successes in a Diamondbacks uniform.

Atlanta Braves: Brian McCann

Height:  6'3'' Weight: 230

With more than 20 home runs in five of his last six seasons and five Silver Slugger awards to his name, Brian McCann has been a positive power source for the Atlanta Braves since coming up in 2005.

Baltimore Orioles: Mark Reynolds

Height:  6'2'' Weight: 220

He may lead the league in strikeouts on a yearly basis, but Mark Reynolds' power helps offset that to the tune of 141 home runs in his past four seasons.

Reynolds went deep 37 times last year during his first season with the Baltimore Orioles and heads into 2012 with similar expectations.

Boston Red Sox: David Ortiz

Height:  6'4'' Weight: 230

After hitting only 58 home runs in six seasons with the Minnesota Twins, the team cut ties with David Ortiz after the 2002 season.

And then the Big Papi was born. Since joining the Red Sox, Ortiz has hit under 25 home runs only once, including a three-year stretch when he averaged 47 long balls per season.

Chicago Cubs: Marlon Byrd

Height: 6'1'' Weight: 215

Marlon Byrd hasn't flexed his muscle much in terms of power production with the Chicago Cubs, but if anyone questions his toughness, just check out an MLB.com piece about how he uses martial arts as an offseason training tool.

Chicago White Sox: Adam Dunn

Height:  6'6'' Weight: 285

Adam Dunn's massive stature was supposed to be the Chicago White Sox's ticket to an AL Central crown in 2011, as he was slated to team up with Paul Konerko to form their own version of the bash brothers.

Things didn't go as planned, as Dunn experienced the worst season of his career, but he'll have three more years to make it up to the fans at U.S. Cellular.

Cincinnati Reds: Joey Votto

Height:  6'3'' Weight: 220

With teams recognizing Joey Votto's power after his impressive MVP performance in 2010, he didn't face nearly as many pitches in 2011, as his walk numbers rose and power numbers declined.

He's still the most dangerous weapon Cincinnati has to offer though, and definitely one of the league's best.

Cleveland Indians: Travis Hafner

Height:  6'3'' Weight: 240

During the peak of his career, Travis Hafner was torturing American League pitchers as he averaged 32 home runs per season from 2004 to 2007.

He's run into issues staying on the field since then, but if healthy, he can still definitely be a home run threat in the Indians lineup.

Colorado Rockies: Jason Giambi

Height: 6'3'' Weight: 240

His statistics and legacy will always come into question due to his role with PED usage, but Jason Giambi's years with the Athletics and Yankees still produced a great deal of power, natural or not.

He's failed to produce the same results in limited use with the Rockies, but will be back again in 2012 for what could be his final season.

Detroit Tigers: Miguel Cabrera

Height:  6'4'' Weight: 240

Having reached the 30 home run plateau in all but two major league seasons, Miguel Cabrera has been the model of consistency for the Detroit Tigers.

At only 28 years old, it's scary to think his best days may still be ahead of him.

Houston Astros: Carlos Lee

Height:  6'2'' Weight: 265

Falling below 20 home runs in 2011 for the first time since his rookie season, Carlos Lee will look to rebound in 2012 with the Astros.

He may be getting a little long in the tooth but at 35 he still has plenty left in the tank and there's no reason to think he won't once again be the focal point on offense for Houston this season.

Kansas City Royals: Billy Butler

Height:  6'1'' Weight: 240

As the leader of a youthful movement in Kansas City, Billy Butler is a 25-year-old veteran on a team that appears to be on it's way up in the AL Central.

He's shown the ability to hit for power while still maintaining a good average, and should be an integral part of the Royals lineup once again in 2012.

Los Angeles Angels: Albert Pujols

Height:  6'3'' Weight: 230

With 445 career home runs and a career OPS of 1.037, the Los Angeles Angels have landed themselves one of the best players of our generation in Albert Pujols.

2011 may have been his "worst" season, yet he still went deep 37 times and batted .299, a stat line that anyone would beg for.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Matt Kemp

Height:  6'3'' Weight: 215

Many think Matt Kemp should've taken home the NL MVP award in 2011 after going deep 39 times and driving in 126 runs.

While he came up just short to Ryan Braun, Kemp will be blasting the long ball out of Dodger Stadium for years to come, as the team rewarded his efforts with a contract extension through 2019.

Miami Marlins: Mike Stanton

Height:  6'5'' Weight: 235

Standing tall at 6'5'' with a solid frame, Mike Stanton hit some of the most violent home runs we've seen in 2011, going deep 34 times in his sophomore season.

He'll be an important part of the revitalized Marlins in 2012 and should only improve with a talented offense around him in the lineup.

Milwaukee Brewers: Ryan Braun

Height: 6'1'' Weight: 210

Ryan Braun is currently fighting allegations surrounding the usage of PEDs, something that certainly tarnishes the records he's amassed.

You can't take away the more than 32 home runs per season he's managed to hit in his five years in the league, though, and once he settles his dispute with the league, Braun will certainly be back at it.

Minnesota Twins: Joe Mauer

Height:  6'5'' Weight: 235

Given his inability to hit for power and stay on the field since the Twins made their move to Target Field, it's hard to put Joe Mauer in this category.

But at nearly 240 pounds and with Jim Thome and Jason Kubel out the door, and Justin Morneau fighting to potentially play again, Mauer's almost in this slot by default.

New York Mets: Lucas Duda

Height:  6'5'' Weight: 260

Lucas Duda experienced a coming out party of sorts in 2011, seeing his average jump 90 points from the limited use he saw in 2010 with the Mets.

With a big and bulky frame, Duda has the tools to develop into a great power hitter in this league and should give Mets fans reason for hope in the future.

New York Yankees: Alex Rodriguez

Height:  6'3'' Weight: 231

With decreased time on the field in 2011, Alex Rodriguez's numbers went south, as he for the first time  well over a decade hit less than 20 home runs and failed to drive in 100 runs.

He's in striking distance of a number of records, however, and if he can remain healthy in 2012 will no doubt return to form and prove he's still one of the game's most dangerous hitters.

Oakland Athletics: Brandon Allen

Height: 6'2'' Weight: 235

Brandon Allen has only seen minimal action at the major league level, but having hit over 20 home runs in the past four season in the minor leagues, he should be able to develop into a power hitter at the next level over time.

Philadelphia Phillies: Jim Thome

Height:  6'3'' Weight: 250

There's definitely a case to put Ryan Howard alongside Jim Thome in this category, but simply put, Thome is built like a tree trunk.

He's one of the game's all-time great sluggers, and while he'll be used relatively sparingly in 2012, he still provides a great late-inning option for the Phillies as they look to place some pop in their lineup.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Garrett Jones

Height:  6'4'' Weight: 240

Garrett Jones' most prolific offensive output came in 2009, as he put up 21 home runs while batting nearly .300, despite missing half the season.

At 30 years old, Jones should be in the prime of his career and will look to build off the past two seasons that haven't lived up to expectations.

San Diego Padres: Carlos Quentin

Height:  6'2'' Weight: 235

Before having his 2008 season cut short due to injury, Carlos Quentin was headed for a potential MVP award, as he went deep 36 times and drove in 100 runs in just 130 games.

He'll look to build on a solid 2011 season in Chicago as he makes his move to San Diego to add much-needed power to the Padres lineup.

San Francisco Giants: Pablo Sandoval

Height: 5'11' Weight: 240

It may not all be muscle, but Pablo Sandoval definitely has a dangerous bat, as he's able to hit for both power and average and contributes to the Giants lineup on a nightly basis.

Seattle Mariners: Justin Smoak

Height:  6'4'' Weight: 230

The Seattle Mariners are expecting big things from Justin Smoak in 2012, as the 25-year-old first baseman looks to provide some much-needed offense in a lineup that has struggled to score runs as of late.

He certainly has the size to make it happen, but with a .227 average and minimal power in 200-plus career games at the major league level, he has yet to live up to his potential.

St. Louis Cardinals: Matt Holliday

Height:  6'4'' Weight: 235

Matt Holliday's offense will be needed more than ever in St. Louis in 2012 as they look to fill the void left by Albert Pujols' departure.

The five-time All-Star has certainly shown power, with more than 20 home runs in six of his eight seasons, including a 36-home run, 137-RBI season in 2007.

Tampa Bay Rays: Evan Longoria

Height:  6'2'' Weight: 210

Evan Longoria doesn't have the biggest frame on this list, but he certainly uses what he's got.

He's gone over 20 home runs in every season with the Rays, twice hitting more than 30, and with some clutch performances along the way, he represents the best of Tampa's offensive output.

Texas Rangers: Nelson Cruz

Height: 6'2'' Weight: 240

The Texas Rangers lineup is full of monster bats, with Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz leading the way (just think of what could happen with Prince Field in the fold).

Cruz's last three years with the Rangers have been his best in the league, as he's averaged 28 home runs a season while batting nearly .280 along the way.

Toronto Blue Jays: Jose Bautista

Height: 6'0'' Weight: 195

He doesn't even tip the scales at 200 pounds, but Jose Bautista has still been one of the most prolific offensive players in the league in recent years.

Bautista's 97 home runs over the past two seasons are incredible alone, and in 2011 he saw his average climb more than 40 points from the 2010 season.

Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper

Height: 6'3'' Weight: 225

As the top prospect in baseball, the hype surrounding Bryce Harper has built him up to superstar status before even playing a major league game.

Once he reaches the majors, he'll be looked on to be a focal point for a Washington Nationals offense that is setting itself up to compete in the NL East very soon.