Ranking MLB's Top 5 Players Based on the Size of Their Bats

In the olden days of baseball, there always seemed to be an obsession with players' bats.  Shoeless Joe Jackson named his, and fans generally knew about the famous "Black Betsy."  In later years, there were discussions about Babe Ruth and his ridiculously heavy bats, at anywhere from 40-52 ounces.

Today, however, little is said about players' equipment.  They are just men playing a game, and we just watch them.

Yet, I'm an old-fashioned baseball fan and am not ready to let this obsession die just yet.  It's time to take a look at five of today's current players and rank them based on one thing: bat size.

No. 5: Joey Votto

The key to being a successful hitter in the majors is a smooth and fluid swing, of which Votto has both.  The crazy part is that for someone so big at 6'3", 225 pounds, his bat seems unusually light.

You see, Votto's bat weighs a mere 31 ounces.  Well, now we know where all of the great power comes from.

No. 4: Robinson Cano

Cano isn't exactly huge at just 6'0", 205 pounds.  On top of that, his bat seems a bit on the heavy side for him, at 32 ounces.  Still, Cano's upper-body strength gives him kind of a wonky swing, but one that is also oddly smooth.

Seeing as how he is a .308 lifetime hitter, I think it's safe to say that Cano doesn't need to undergo any major changes to his approach.

No. 3: Giancarlo Stanton

Stanton also uses a 32-ounce bat, and considering how he is 6'5", 250 pounds, the bat's lightness probably the reason why he can hit home runs like this.

No. 2: Josh Hamilton

Hamilton is one of those players who loves using a big bat, which my high school baseball coach always frowned upon since he felt it slowed down one's swing.  Still, the powerful outfielder's 34.4 ounce bat has done wonders for him as his swing is so smooth for someone 6'4", 240 pounds.

Still not convinced?  Just check out his performance at the 2008 Home Run Derby.

No. 1: Alfonso Soriano

Soriano is not what one would call a strong individual as in recent years, he has spent a lot of time on the disabled list.  He also doesn't have what one would call an incredible athlete's frame at 6'1", 195 pounds.

And yet, the Chicago Cubs outfielder insists on using a 36-ounce bat and has thus struggled in recent seasons, though he has looked better as of late.  Perhaps if he uses a lighter bat like his manager wants him to, then the improved results will continue.