The 2019 Home Run Derby is more than just a matinee before the All-Star game in Cleveland; it will feature some of the MLB’s best when it comes to powerful swings. With two rookies, a hometown third baseman and two AL West sluggers, this is an event you won’t want to miss. On the heels of Bryce Harper’s victory at the last midsummer classic, make sure to zero in on some of the storylines surrounding this contest.
Two Rookies
Perhaps one of the most anticipated rookies in years, Vlad Guerrero Jr. has certainly lived up to the hype in his first season with Toronto. The son of Angels’ great Vlad Guerrero, the 20 year old has inherited his father’s power. Despite hitting only eight homers at the big league level this season, International league pitchers can attest to his home run hitting ability. During his time in Buffalo in AAA, he had a .564 slugging percentage while hitting six homers in just 30 games. His stats aren’t on par with the rest of the field, but this eight seed is a dark horse and could easily advance past the first round.
His other fellow rookie in the competition is Pete Alonso, the Mets’ starting first baseman. Seeded a little higher than Guerrero at two, Alonso burst onto the big league scene and never looked back. After hitting five home runs over the first 10 games, he finds himself with 29 homers at midseason, the most of the eight guys participating in the derby. To make matters even crazier, if Alonso wins it all on Monday night he will take home double of his 2019 season salary.
Keep an eye on these two rookies, who are already making their marks with their home run hitting ability.
Josh Bell: The Favorite
Although he comes in as a six seed, many experts have predicted him as the favorite to win it all with 3:1 odds. Rightfully so. The Pirates’ first baseman has become a consistent force in the NL, swatting 27 homers and posting a .301 batting average. One of his most storied homers came this season when he became the first Pirates player to hit a 470+ feet home run in the Allegheny River, which sits directly behind right field in Pittsburgh. That homer alone turned heads and made him a great pick for this event. In addition, this will be his first All-Star Game appearance.
Hometown Slugger: Carlos Santana
Since the home run derby was started back in 1985, multiple contestants from the host team took the title. First was Ryne Sandberg of the Cubs at the 1990 contest, then there was Ryan Howard of the Pirates in 2006, and most recently Bryce Harper of the Nationals last season. With the crowd behind him, Harper hit 19 homers in the final round to take home the crown.
Add Carlos Santana as a possibility to join that list. Representing the host team, the Cleveland Indians, the utility man has proven his versatility at the plate, drawing 64 walks, 52 RBI and especially 19 home runs.
When thinking about it, home field advantage can give a player from the host team a good advantage. The batter knows the park, is comfortable hitting there, has taken more reps there than at any other ballpark and has the hometown crowd behind him.
Because of this, Santana comes in with confidence and despite his high seed (7), he will be a threat to the rest of the field.
Late Addition
In an extremely late move, Matt Chapman of the Athletics was added as the No. 1 seed replacing MVP favorite Christian Yelich who is out with a back injury. Chapman has hit 21 homers this year and helped the Athletics to a second place standing in the AL West.
With so many great and powerful sluggers in this year’s Home Run Derby, this is an event you will not want to miss. The MLB made it even more exciting by introducing a bracket challenge for the fans. The link to it is below.
Coverage begins at 7 pm central time on ESPN.
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