Jose Bautista Has the Power: A Journey from Mediocrity to Magnificence

13 and 54.

Let's allow these two numbers to sink in. Obviously, one is much larger than the other. Three times larger, in fact.

The difference between the two is 41. In terms of years, 41 is long period of time. In terms of dollars, it can be the difference between a good meal and spectacular meal.

In terms of home runs for Jose Bautista, it is the difference between obscurity and stardom.

Who exactly is Jose Bautista and where did he come from?

This can be answered through simple research. We know he was a Rule 5 draft pick of the Baltimore Orioles who spent time with five different teams before finding his niche in Toronto. We know that during his first five seasons he never hit more than 17 home runs or knocked in more than 63 runs. Beyond this we know very little.

How does a man more than triple his home run total? Where did this new-found strength come from? Is it common for a man who has never displayed a prowess for hitting become the leagues premier power hitter after being optioned to the minor leagues for most of his career?

The answer to all these question is no.

The obvious answer to his spike in power is that he is going through puberty, yet again. I'm only kidding, the actual question that looms in the back of everyone's mind s whether or not his power is natural.

We want to assume the worst and rightfully so. As Major League Baseball fans, we have been "duped" into thinking things were natural one too many times.

We have the right to be skeptical, but with the testing that players are subject to and the strict anti-drug policy of baseball that has been instituted, it seems unlikely that Batista could get away with such a thing.

In the meantime, try not to worry about whether it is natural or not. Just sit back, relax and enjoy watching Bautista's trek from insignificant to unbelievable