October baseball has a way of turning great hitters into legends. One hot stretch can change a player’s reputation, carry a team through multiple playoff rounds, and create moments that remain part of baseball history for decades. When it comes to postseason power, however, one performance still stands above every other.
The MLB record for the most home runs in a single postseason belongs to Randy Arozarena, who hit an extraordinary 10 home runs for the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2020 playoffs. His run broke the previous record of eight and helped Tampa Bay reach the World Series. As of the most recently completed MLB postseason in 2025, nobody has matched his total.
Several elite hitters have come close. Shohei Ohtani and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. both hit eight during the 2025 postseason, joining a distinguished group that includes Barry Bonds, Carlos Beltrán, Nelson Cruz, Corey Seager, and Adolis García.
This guide looks beyond the simple leaderboard. We will examine the record holders, the circumstances behind their performances, how playoff expansion affects comparisons between eras, and which postseason power displays were the most impressive.
Who Has the Most Home Runs in a Single Postseason?
Randy Arozarena holds the MLB record with 10 home runs in the 2020 postseason for the Tampa Bay Rays. He entered those playoffs without the established superstar reputation associated with many of the names elsewhere on the leaderboard, making his performance one of the most unexpected postseason breakouts in modern MLB history.
Arozarena hit three home runs against the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series, four against the Houston Astros in the AL Championship Series, and another three against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. His ninth homer, hit during Game 4 of the World Series, officially established a new single-postseason MLB record. He added No. 10 in Game 6.
His postseason went well beyond power. MLB credits Arozarena’s 2020 run with 29 hits and 64 total bases, both of which were single-postseason records at the time.
The basic record is:
- Player: Randy Arozarena
- Team: Tampa Bay Rays
- Year: 2020
- Postseason home runs: 10
- World Series result: Rays lost to Dodgers in six games
It is also worth remembering that the 2020 postseason used an expanded playoff structure, giving players additional opportunities compared with many earlier eras. That context matters—but it does not erase how difficult hitting 10 postseason homers remains.
MLB Single-Postseason Home Run Leaders
The modern leaderboard shows just how rare it is for a hitter to reach eight home runs during one postseason. According to MLB’s updated record list following the 2025 World Series, only eight players have ever hit at least eight in one postseason, and Arozarena remains the only player to reach double digits.
| Rank | Player | Team | Year | Home Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Randy Arozarena | Tampa Bay Rays | 2020 | 10 |
| T-2 | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | Toronto Blue Jays | 2025 | 8 |
| T-2 | Shohei Ohtani | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2025 | 8 |
| T-2 | Corey Seager | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2020 | 8 |
| T-2 | Nelson Cruz | Texas Rangers | 2011 | 8 |
| T-2 | Carlos Beltrán | Houston Astros | 2004 | 8 |
| T-2 | Barry Bonds | San Francisco Giants | 2002 | 8 |
| T-2 | Adolis García | Texas Rangers | 2023 | 8 |
MLB notes that all eight players to reach at least eight homers did so during the Wild Card era, which began in 1995. Before that era, the postseason record was six, originally established by Pittsburgh’s Bob Robertson in 1971 and later matched by Philadelphia’s Lenny Dykstra in 1993.
This difference demonstrates one of the challenges involved in comparing postseason statistics across generations. Today’s players can potentially play significantly more playoff games than stars from earlier decades.
Still, additional games do not guarantee home runs. Teams must advance far enough, hitters must remain productive against elite pitching, and pitchers can adjust their approach over a multi-series postseason.
Randy Arozarena’s Historic 10-Home Run Postseason
Randy Arozarena’s 2020 postseason is remarkable partly because almost nobody expected it. He entered the playoffs as a rookie-level player who had not yet established himself as one of MLB’s household-name sluggers. By the end of October, he had produced one of the most famous individual postseason performances ever recorded.
His power developed round by round.
During the AL Division Series against the Yankees, Arozarena hit three home runs. Against Houston in the ALCS, he added four more, including his seventh in Game 7. That blast established a rookie postseason home run record while helping Tampa Bay secure the American League pennant.
Then came the World Series.
Arozarena entered the Fall Classic within striking distance of the existing MLB record of eight postseason homers. His ninth came in Game 4 against the Dodgers, breaking the record previously shared by Barry Bonds, Carlos Beltrán, Nelson Cruz and, briefly that same night, Corey Seager.
Arozarena was not finished.
He launched his 10th homer in the first inning of World Series Game 6, extending the record that still stands today.
What makes the performance particularly memorable is that Tampa Bay did not ultimately win the championship. Arozarena’s postseason became historic independently of the team’s final result.
Shohei Ohtani’s Eight Home Runs in the 2025 Postseason
Shohei Ohtani became one of the newest players to challenge the most home runs in a single postseason record when he launched eight for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025. His achievement was particularly notable because it occurred while he was also contributing as a pitcher, creating a postseason performance unlike the traditional slugger-only runs found elsewhere on the list.
Ohtani opened the Dodgers’ postseason by hitting two home runs in the first game of their Wild Card Series against Cincinnati. His defining moment, however, came in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against Milwaukee.
Starting the game as a pitcher, Ohtani also hit three home runs at the plate. MLB’s updated single-postseason record article highlights that extraordinary three-homer game as a major part of his eight-homer postseason.
He then added three more home runs during the World Series, including one in Game 1 and two in Game 3, bringing his postseason total to eight.
Ohtani therefore joined the second-place group but remained two short of Arozarena’s record.
The performance also illustrates why simple home-run totals do not capture every postseason achievement. Ohtani was simultaneously carrying responsibilities on both sides of the game. His combination of power hitting and pitching made his 2025 run historically distinctive even without breaking the home-run record.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s Eight-Homer Run in 2025
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. matched Shohei Ohtani with eight home runs during the same 2025 postseason, creating the unusual situation of two players reaching the second-highest total in MLB history during one playoff year.
Guerrero started aggressively against the Yankees in the American League Division Series. He homered in each of the first three games of the series, immediately putting himself into the conversation for one of the most productive postseason power performances of the year.
He continued producing against Seattle in the AL Championship Series, hitting another three home runs as Toronto advanced through a seven-game series.
That gave Guerrero six before the World Series.
Facing the Dodgers, he added a two-run homer against Ohtani in Game 4 and another home run against Blake Snell in Game 5. His final total reached eight, tying Ohtani, Corey Seager, Nelson Cruz, Carlos Beltrán, Barry Bonds and Adolis García for second place on the single-postseason list.
The 2025 performances by Guerrero and Ohtani also reinforce how difficult Arozarena’s 10 remains to catch. Both hitters reached eight despite their teams playing through a long postseason and meeting in a seven-game World Series.
Even with maximum opportunity, neither could reach nine or 10.
Corey Seager’s Eight Home Runs During the 2020 Dodgers Run
Randy Arozarena was not the only player threatening the postseason home-run record in 2020. On the opposite side of the World Series, Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager was producing one of the greatest playoff performances ever by a player at his position.
Seager hit eight postseason home runs, including five during the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves. MLB notes that those five established an NLCS record.
His eighth homer arrived in Game 4 of the World Series—the same game in which Arozarena hit his ninth to take sole possession of the MLB record. At that moment, Seager had joined the existing record group before Arozarena immediately pushed the mark higher.
Seager’s performance differed from Arozarena’s in one crucial way: the Dodgers ultimately won the championship.
He was named MVP of both the NLCS and the World Series, giving him an extraordinary combination of individual statistics, major awards and a championship ring.
For shortstops in particular, Seager’s eight home runs remain notable. MLB identifies that total as the most by a shortstop in a single postseason.
His 2020 October run is therefore a reminder that ranking postseason performances should involve more than counting homers alone.
Barry Bonds’ Legendary 2002 Postseason
Barry Bonds entered the 2002 postseason as one of the most feared hitters baseball had ever seen, and opposing pitchers treated him accordingly. Despite receiving very few comfortable pitches to hit, Bonds launched eight postseason home runs while leading the San Francisco Giants to the World Series.
His performance becomes even more impressive when examining how frequently opponents avoided challenging him.
MLB notes that Bonds drew 27 walks in 74 plate appearances during the 2002 postseason, including 13 intentional walks. Even with that extraordinary level of caution from opposing pitching staffs, he managed to hit eight homers.
Four came during the World Series against the Angels.
One of the most memorable was a massive ninth-inning homer off closer Troy Percival in Game 2 in Anaheim. Although the Giants ultimately lost the World Series in seven games, Bonds demonstrated why pitching around him had become such a common strategy.
Bonds originally shared the single-postseason record with Carlos Beltrán and Nelson Cruz before the 2020 playoffs. Arozarena’s ninth homer finally pushed the record beyond eight.
When considering opportunity, lineup protection and the sheer number of walks Bonds received, his eight-home-run performance has a legitimate case as one of the most dominant postseason offensive runs ever.
Carlos Beltrán’s Incredible 2004 Playoff Performance
Carlos Beltrán’s 2004 postseason is one of the strongest examples of a player transforming into a different level of hitter once October began. Houston had acquired Beltrán from Kansas City during the season, and his first career postseason opportunity immediately became historic.
He hit eight home runs in only two playoff rounds.
Beltrán launched four against the Atlanta Braves during Houston’s five-game Division Series victory and another four during a seven-game NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals.
That is an important detail when comparing his performance with later record holders.
Beltrán did not play in a World Series. Houston was eliminated in the NLCS, meaning he reached eight home runs without receiving another round of games in which to add to his total.
Across those two series, MLB lists his batting line at an extraordinary .435/.536/1.022.
Had Houston advanced to the World Series, Beltrán would have had a realistic opportunity to become the first player to reach nine or even 10 postseason home runs years before Arozarena.
That possibility cannot be counted as a record, of course. Baseball records measure what happened rather than what might have happened.
Still, when comparing the efficiency and intensity of single-postseason performances, Beltrán’s 2004 run deserves special recognition.
Nelson Cruz and His Record-Breaking 2011 ALCS
Nelson Cruz reached eight home runs during the Texas Rangers’ 2011 postseason run, but the distribution of those homers was highly unusual.
He went homerless during the Division Series.
Then he exploded.
Cruz hit six home runs during the American League Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers. MLB identifies those six as the most home runs ever hit by one player in a single postseason series.
His ALCS included a particularly historic moment in Game 2. Cruz hit two homers during the contest, including a walk-off grand slam. MLB notes that it remains the only walk-off grand slam in postseason history.
He ultimately added enough power during the World Series to finish the postseason with eight home runs.
Cruz’s performance illustrates another interesting reality about October statistics: players do not need to dominate every round to reach the top of the leaderboard.
One extreme series can radically change the numbers.
Six homers in a championship series represents a concentration of power that even Arozarena’s 10-homer postseason did not match within a single round.
For that reason, Cruz’s 2011 run holds two different places in postseason history: tied second for total postseason homers and first for homers within one postseason series.
Adolis García’s Eight-Homer Championship Run in 2023
Adolis García joined the eight-home-run group during the Texas Rangers’ championship run in 2023. His postseason was not merely about hitting the ball over the fence; many of those home runs came in major situations as Texas battled through the American League playoffs.
Five of García’s eight homers came during the seven-game AL Championship Series against the Houston Astros.
He homered in each of the final four games of that series and hit two in Game 7, helping the Rangers secure a World Series berth.
The run continued immediately.
In Game 1 of the World Series against Arizona, García hit an opposite-field walk-off home run in the 11th inning. It was his eighth of the postseason and another dramatic addition to his October résumé.
That homer also helped him establish the MLB record for RBIs in a single postseason, according to MLB’s record summary.
García’s pursuit of Arozarena ended unexpectedly when he suffered an injury during Game 3 of the World Series and could not continue playing. MLB itself notes that the injury removed a realistic opportunity for him to challenge the 10-homer record.
Texas still won the championship, giving García one achievement Arozarena did not secure during his record-breaking 2020 run: a World Series title.
Players Who Hit Seven Home Runs in One Postseason
The eight-homer group receives most of the attention, but seven home runs remains an exceptional postseason total. Several memorable October performers have finished one homer short of joining the second-place group.
MLB’s updated leaderboard lists Giancarlo Stanton (2024 Yankees), Jose Altuve (2017 Astros), Daniel Murphy (2015 Mets), Jayson Werth (2009 Phillies), B.J. Upton (2008 Rays), and Troy Glaus (2002 Angels) among the players with seven postseason homers.
Each reached the number differently.
Stanton hit four of his seven during the 2024 ALCS against Cleveland and was named ALCS MVP. He then homered twice during the World Series against the Dodgers.
Daniel Murphy’s 2015 run was especially surprising because he had never been considered an elite power hitter. He nevertheless homered in six consecutive postseason games, setting a record at the time for consecutive playoff games with a home run.
Troy Glaus, meanwhile, hit seven during the Angels’ 2002 championship postseason and produced eight World Series RBIs on his way to winning World Series MVP.
Seven may sit outside the official record, but reaching that level still places a hitter among the most productive October sluggers in MLB history.
How Expanded MLB Playoffs Affect the Record
Comparing postseason home-run totals across baseball history requires context because the structure of the postseason has changed substantially.
MLB specifically points out that all eight players who have reached at least eight home runs in one postseason achieved the feat during the Wild Card era, beginning in 1995. Before that period, the record was six, shared by Bob Robertson’s 1971 Pirates run and Lenny Dykstra’s 1993 Phillies postseason.
The reason is straightforward: more playoff rounds create more plate appearances.
A player in an earlier baseball era could dominate every game available to him and still have fewer opportunities than a modern hitter whose team advances through the Wild Card round, Division Series, League Championship Series and World Series.
The 2020 season adds another layer.
That postseason used an expanded 16-team field, and Arozarena’s record-breaking ninth homer came during his 18th playoff game. By comparison, Carlos Beltrán hit eight in only 12 games in 2004, while Barry Bonds and Nelson Cruz reached eight in 17 games.
That does not make Arozarena’s record invalid. Records are based on the rules and formats in place when the games are played.
But when judging which performance was most dominant, home runs per game and number of available rounds deserve consideration alongside raw totals.
Why Postseason Home Runs Are Harder to Accumulate
Ten home runs may not sound enormous when regular-season leaders can hit 40, 50 or more, but postseason baseball is fundamentally different.
First, the schedule is dramatically shorter. Even a team reaching the World Series has only a limited number of games available, and a sweep can actually reduce the number of opportunities its hitters receive.
Second, postseason hitters consistently face strong pitching staffs. Teams that reach October generally have better rotations, high-leverage relievers, specialized bullpen matchups and detailed scouting information.
Third, every plate appearance is scrutinized.
If one hitter becomes dangerous, opponents can alter pitch selection, intentionally walk him, use a different reliever or avoid giving him hittable pitches altogether. Barry Bonds’ 27 walks during the 2002 postseason provide an extreme example of this effect.
Finally, survival matters.
A great hitter cannot continue accumulating home runs once his team is eliminated. Beltrán finished with eight in 2004 despite Houston failing to reach the World Series. Conversely, players on teams that survive multiple seven-game series can receive substantially more opportunities.
The most home runs in a single postseason record therefore depends on both individual brilliance and team longevity.
That combination is why Arozarena’s 10 remains difficult to surpass.
Which Single-Postseason Home Run Performance Was Most Impressive?
The statistical answer is simple: Randy Arozarena holds the record with 10.
Determining the most impressive performance is more complicated.
Arozarena deserves enormous credit because nobody else has reached double figures. He also produced the record as an emerging player rather than an already established superstar.
Carlos Beltrán, however, reached eight in only two rounds and 12 games. His .435/.536/1.022 slash line during Houston’s 2004 postseason makes his run exceptionally efficient.
Barry Bonds’ eight deserve different consideration because opponents walked him 27 times and intentionally passed him 13 times. He had fewer genuine opportunities to swing than almost anyone else on the list.
Corey Seager combined eight homers with NLCS MVP, World Series MVP and a championship.
Shohei Ohtani’s 2025 run was unique because his eight-homer postseason included a three-homer NLCS game while he was also the game’s starting pitcher.
There is therefore no perfect single measurement of postseason greatness.
For the official record, Arozarena is No. 1. For efficiency, context and championship impact, several others have legitimate arguments.
Could Someone Break the Record of 10 Home Runs?
Yes. The record is difficult, but it is not unreachable.
The evidence is already there. Seven different players besides Arozarena have reached eight, and multiple hitters have approached the record in recent postseasons. Adolis García hit eight in 2023 before an injury ended his World Series, while Shohei Ohtani and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. both reached eight in 2025.
A hitter attempting to reach 11 would probably need several things to happen simultaneously:
- His team must make a deep postseason run.
- He likely needs to play in multiple long series.
- He must stay healthy.
- Opposing teams must continue pitching to him.
- He needs several multi-homer games or extended homer streaks.
- He must maintain elite power against top playoff pitching.
- His team must provide enough lineup protection to discourage constant walks.
One explosive series can help dramatically. Nelson Cruz hit six homers in the 2011 ALCS alone, demonstrating how quickly a player can climb the leaderboard.
The modern playoff structure gives hitters enough potential games to challenge 10.
What it does not provide is consistency. A player can dominate one round and then face a pitching staff capable of neutralizing him completely.
Sooner or later, 10 may fall. But the record has already survived several serious challenges.
Final Thoughts
The MLB record for the most home runs in a single postseason remains Randy Arozarena’s 10 with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020. He broke the previous record of eight during World Series Game 4 and extended it to 10 in Game 6.
Seven players sit immediately behind him with eight: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Shohei Ohtani, Corey Seager, Nelson Cruz, Carlos Beltrán, Barry Bonds and Adolis García. Guerrero and Ohtani became the newest members of that group during the 2025 postseason.
Raw totals, however, tell only part of the story.
Beltrán reached eight without playing in a World Series. Bonds hit eight despite being walked constantly. Seager combined eight with two MVP awards and a championship. García lost a potential shot at the record to injury. Ohtani produced his eight while simultaneously making an impact as a pitcher.
That context is what makes postseason baseball statistics so compelling.
Arozarena owns the official record, but every name near the top reached the leaderboard through a different type of October run. Until somebody hits No. 11, his extraordinary 2020 performance remains MLB’s standard for postseason power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the most home runs in a single postseason?
Randy Arozarena holds the MLB record for the most home runs in a single postseason, hitting 10 for the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2020 playoffs. He broke the previous record with his ninth home run during Game 4 of the World Series and added his 10th in Game 6.
Who is second for most postseason home runs in one year?
Seven players are tied for second with eight home runs: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2025, Shohei Ohtani in 2025, Corey Seager in 2020, Nelson Cruz in 2011, Carlos Beltrán in 2004, Barry Bonds in 2002 and Adolis García in 2023.
What was the postseason home run record before Randy Arozarena?
Before Arozarena broke it in 2020, the record was eight. Barry Bonds, Carlos Beltrán and Nelson Cruz had previously reached that mark. Corey Seager also reached eight during the 2020 postseason before Arozarena moved ahead with his ninth homer.
What was the record before the MLB Wild Card era?
Before the Wild Card era began in 1995, the single-postseason record was six home runs. Pittsburgh’s Bob Robertson established that total in 1971, and Philadelphia’s Lenny Dykstra matched it in 1993.
Did Randy Arozarena win the World Series when he hit 10 home runs?
No. Arozarena and the Tampa Bay Rays reached the 2020 World Series but lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers. His individual record therefore came during a postseason that ended without a championship for Tampa Bay.