First At-Bat Home Run Part 1

Wikipedia is full of lists. One I came across recently is a list of players who hit a home run in their first at bat. I've checked some other sources as well and it looks like the Wikipedia list is up-to-date. On average, this is a pretty rare feat. Only 114 batters have done this since the first guy did it in 1885. That works out to less than 1 per year.  But it's becoming more common. In the past 10 years (2003-2012) it's been done 32 times! Working backwards here's Part 1 of the list since 2003.

Apparently hitting a home run in your first at bat is not an indication of future performance.

2012 Topps Pro Debut #81 Jurickson Profar

9/2/12. Profar was the 4th player with this accomplishment in 2012. He had 3 hits in 17 at bats for the Rangers last year, 2 doubles and a home run. He did not make the team this year and is currently playing for the Rangers AAA team in Round Rock, Texas.

8/2/12. Eddy Rodriguez. I don't have a card for this guy. He appeared in 2 games for the Padres and was 1 for 7. Currently playing for the Padres AA team in San Antonio.

2013 Topps Opening Day #167 Starling Marte

7/26/12: Marte hit 5 home runs in 47 games for the Pirates last year and looks to be the starting left fielder this year. He's hit one home run already in 2013.

2012 Topps Update #209 Yasmani Grandal

6/2/12: Grandal not only got a home run in his first at bat, he also hit a home run in his second at bat. And each was from a different side of the plate! According to the back of this card, he's the first to ever do such a thing.

2012 Topps Allen & Ginter #192 Brett Pill

9/6/11: Pill has appeared in 63 games for the Giants in 2011-2012 and has 6 total home runs. He's currently playing at AAA Fresno.

2012 Topps Golden Moments Parallel #40 Tom Milone

9/3/11: As rare a feat as this is, it's even rarer for a pitcher to do it. Malone only had the one hit for the Nationals in 2011, in 10 at bats. He's currently pitching for the A's where he is 3-0.

2011 Bowman Platinum Prospects X-Fractors #80 Brandon Guyer

5/6/11: Guyer has 3 total home runs in not much playing time for the Rays. Currently in AAA at Durham.

2012 Bowman Chrome #124 J. P. Arencibia

8/7/10: The last of 5 players in 2010 to do this. He actually looks like a legit home run hitter with 4total home runs. He already has 6 this year.

2010 Bowman Platinum #42 Daniel Nava

6/12/10: Nava looks to have made the big club out of spring training this year. He's got 4 home runs in 2013 and is batting .345 in 12 games.

2010 Topps 206 #24 Starlin Castro

5/7/10: Castro, while not necessarily a home run hitter, is by now, a 2-time All-Star with a near .300 batting average.

2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects #95 Luke Hughes

4/28/10: Hughes may be he only Australian player to accomplish this feat. He went on to hit 7 home runs for the Twins in 2011, but saw very limited playing time in 2012. He's currently with the Blue Jays AAA club in Las Vegas.

2007 Bowman Draft Draft Picks Gold #54 Jason Heyward

4/5/10: Heyward went on to be an All-Star in 2010 and runner up in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.

2010 Upper Deck #31 John Hester

8/28/09: Hester has not had much playing time since his big moment and is currently with the Angels AAA team in Salt Lake City.

2009 Topps Update #154 Gerardo Parra

5/13/09: Parra is the 100th player to get a home run in his first at bat. He's been a solid player for the D'backs ever since.

2009 Topps Heritage #610 Jordan Schaffer

4/5/09: Schaffer is a part time center fielder who has 24 total home runs and a career BA of .224. He was traded by the Braves along with others to the Astros in 2011 for Michale Bourn but the Braves have reacquired him off wavers.

2009 Upper Deck #406 Mark Saccomanno

9/8/08: He hit a home run in his debut game and the final game of his ML career was just 20 days later. Hasn't even appeared in the minors since 2010.

2009 Topps 206 #105 Lou Montanez

8/6/08: Montanez managed to hit another 4 home runs before his career ended after 129 games in 2011.