# MLB Due for a Homer — March 31, 2026

> These 3 hitters have elite Statcast power numbers but fewer HRs than expected. With favorable matchups today, they're the most likely regression candidates on the slate.

**Date:** 2026-03-31  
**Author:** HeatCheck HQ  
**Tags:** MLB, Home Runs, Due for HR, Statcast, Daily Picks  
**Full article:** https://heatcheckhq.io/blog/mlb-due-for-hr-mar-31-2026  
**Live picks & dashboards:** https://heatcheckhq.io

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Not every hitter who *should* be hitting home runs *is* hitting home runs. Baseball is random in the short term — a barrel at 108 mph can be a warning-track flyout one day and a 420-foot bomb the next.

These 3 batters have the Statcast profile of power hitters — elite barrel rate, exit velocity, and expected slugging — but their actual HR totals haven't caught up. With favorable matchups on today's slate, they're the top regression candidates.

## 1. Max Muncy (LAD)

| Stat | Value |
|------|-------|
| Barrel % | **13.6%** |
| Exit Velocity | **101.9 mph** |
| xSLG | **0.497** |
| Fly Ball % | **40.9%** |
| Season HR | **19** |
| Platoon SLG | **0.200** |

**Today's matchup:** vs Tanner Bibee (RHP)
 — Tanner Bibee allows 5.40 HR/9. That's above average and exploitable.

Max Muncy is barreling the ball at an elite rate (13.6%) — that's top-tier in MLB. The exit velocity backs it up at 101.9 mph. When you combine that with a 41% fly ball rate, the math says the HRs are coming. He has 19 HR so far but the Statcast profile suggests more are coming.

## 2. Giancarlo Stanton (NYY)

| Stat | Value |
|------|-------|
| Barrel % | **22.1%** |
| Exit Velocity | **107.6 mph** |
| xSLG | **0.520** |
| Fly Ball % | **31.2%** |
| Season HR | **24** |
| Platoon SLG | **1.000** |

**Today's matchup:** vs Logan Gilbert (RHP)
 — Logan Gilbert allows 1.76 HR/9. That's above average and exploitable.

Giancarlo Stanton is barreling the ball at an elite rate (22.1%) — that's top-tier in MLB. The exit velocity backs it up at 107.6 mph. When you combine that with a 31% fly ball rate, the math says the HRs are coming. He has 24 HR so far but the Statcast profile suggests more are coming.

## 3. Aaron Judge (NYY)

| Stat | Value |
|------|-------|
| Barrel % | **24.7%** |
| Exit Velocity | **106.8 mph** |
| xSLG | **0.708** |
| Fly Ball % | **38.4%** |
| Season HR | **53** |

**Today's matchup:** vs Logan Gilbert (RHP)
 — Logan Gilbert allows 1.76 HR/9. That's above average and exploitable.

Aaron Judge is barreling the ball at an elite rate (24.7%) — that's top-tier in MLB. The exit velocity backs it up at 106.8 mph. When you combine that with a 38% fly ball rate, the math says the HRs are coming. He has 53 HR so far but the Statcast profile suggests more are coming.

## How We Find "Due" Hitters

Our dinger model combines 11 Statcast and matchup factors. Full details on the [Due for a Homer dashboard](/mlb/due-for-hr).

The key stats that predict HR regression:
- **Barrel %** — the best single predictor of home runs. Barrels are batted balls with the optimal combination of exit velocity and launch angle.
- **Exit Velocity** — how hard they hit the ball. 95+ mph is elite.
- **xSLG** — expected slugging based on batted ball quality, independent of luck.
- **Fly Ball %** — ground balls can't be home runs. Higher FB% = more HR opportunities.

When a hitter has elite numbers in all four and fewer HRs than expected, regression (in the positive direction) is likely.

## Research These Players

- [Hitter vs Pitcher](/mlb/hitter-vs-pitcher) — career H2H stats for every batter vs today's opposing pitcher
- [Hitter vs Pitch Mix](/mlb/hitting-stats) — per-pitch breakdown with barrel rate, EV, and ISO by pitch type
- [Best Bats](/mlb/best-bats) — 10-factor composite scoring model for today's top prop picks
- [Weather](/mlb/weather) — wind and temperature conditions at every ballpark

## Related Guides

- [Finding Undervalued HR Hitters](/blog/finding-undervalued-home-run-hitters)
- [Hitter vs Pitcher Matchup Guide](/blog/hitter-vs-pitcher-matchup-guide)
- [MLB Stats Explained](/blog/mlb-stats-explained)


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