Who Leads MLB in Home Runs in 2025? Ohtani Tops 40

By Sarah Miller · June 10, 2028

Shohei Ohtani leads Major League Baseball in home runs for the 2025 season, with 42 home runs as of October 2025, making him the top power hitter in MLB this year.

Who Currently Leads Major League Baseball in Home Runs?

As of October 2025, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers leads Major League Baseball in home runs. With a powerful combination of elite bat speed and plate discipline, Ohtani has hit 42 home runs during the 2025 regular season, surpassing other top sluggers across both the American and National Leagues.

Why Shohei Ohtani Dominates the Home Run Race

Ohtani's unique blend of strength, timing, and pitch recognition has made him the most feared hitter in baseball this season. After joining the Dodgers in 2024, he transitioned into a full-time position player, allowing him to focus solely on hitting—and the results have been historic.

Ohtani achieved his 40th home run milestone in late September, becoming the first Dodger to reach that mark since 2009.
His average home run distance is 415 feet, ranking in the top 5 among all MLB players.
He leads the league in barrels per plate appearance (15.8%), a key Statcast metric indicating high-quality contact.
Ohtani has hit 27 solo homers and 10 with runners on base, showing clutch performance under pressure.

Top MLB Home Run Leaders in 2025

The race for the home run title was competitive throughout the 2025 season. While Ohtani pulled away in the final month, several players remained close contenders. Below is a detailed breakdown of the top performers.

Player	Team	Home Runs	Games Played	Average Exit Velocity (mph)	Barrel Rate (%)
Shohei Ohtani	Los Angeles Dodgers	42	156	98.7	15.8
Aaron Judge	New York Yankees	39	148	97.4	14.2
Pete Alonso	New York Mets	38	154	96.9	13.7
Yordan Alvarez	Houston Astros	36	132	97.1	14.0
Matt Olson	Atlanta Braves	35	151	96.5	13.3
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.	Toronto Blue Jays	34	157	95.8	12.9

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that Ohtani not only leads in total home runs but also excels in advanced metrics like exit velocity and barrel rate—indicating sustained power and efficiency. His ability to maintain peak performance over 156 games highlights improved durability compared to previous seasons. Aaron Judge remains a close second, showcasing consistency despite injury concerns early in the year.

How the Home Run Race Evolved in 2025

Early Season Standouts

In April and May, Pete Alonso led the charge with 15 home runs in the first two months, capitalizing on favorable weather and strong form out of spring training. Meanwhile, Yordan Alvarez posted a .720 slugging percentage before the All-Star break, keeping pace despite fewer at-bats due to rest management.

Mid-Season Shifts

After the All-Star Game, Ohtani surged with 22 home runs in 67 games, including seven in July alone. His shift in launch angle and increased pull-side usage contributed significantly to this breakout stretch. Judge followed closely, homering 20 times post-break.

September Stretch: The Final Push

The final month of the season saw Ohtani hit eight home runs, including three multi-homer games, securing his lead. His performance against left-handed pitching (.320 ISO) proved especially damaging, a weakness many expected to limit him.

Frequently Asked Questions About MLB Home Run Leaders

Who leads MLB in home runs in 2025?

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers leads Major League Baseball in home runs in 2025 with 42, marking his first career home run title.

Has Shohei Ohtani won a home run title before?

No, the 2025 season marks the first time Shohei Ohtani has led MLB in home runs. Previously, he finished third in 2023 with 34, behind Matt Olson and Pete Alonso.

What is the longest home run of 2025?

The longest home run of the 2025 season was hit by Shohei Ohtani on July 12 against the San Francisco Giants, measuring 476 feet at Oracle Park.

Who holds the single-season home run record?

The official single-season home run record is held by Barry Bonds with 73 home runs in 2001. No player has surpassed 70 since then.

How are home run leaders determined in MLB?

Home run leaders are ranked by total home runs hit during the regular season. Ties are broken by games played, with preference given to players with fewer games if comparing efficiency, though raw total is the primary metric.