ITS BEEN A LONG LONG TIME UP FULL

A lot of young players are one-and-done in the Home Run Derby, but Soto is back for the second year in a row. Why he could take down Alonso: Because he clearly wants to. Heck, we've seen young guys getting fatigued after a round or two - and Pujols is 42!ĭerby fun fact: Pujols will be the seventh player to make at least five Home Run Derby appearances, joining Ken Griffey Jr., Mark McGwire, Prince Fielder, Bonds, Sammy Sosa and David Ortiz. And it's difficult to imagine Pujols having the stamina to win three rounds. ( Ivan Rodriguez of the Tigers had six when he participated at his home park in 2005.) Pujols will be the oldest player ever to partake the previous oldest participant was 39-year-old Barry Bonds in 2004.

Why he might not: Did we mention it's been a long time since peak Pujols? If he remains at five home runs over the next week, he'll have the fewest homers for a player entering the contest. He'll be the sentimental favorite, and maybe the crowd will root him on to a few extra home runs. Sure, it's been a long time since peak Pujols, but he still has the raw power to do damage in this contest, and his swing late in his career has been more fly ball oriented anyway. Why he could take down Alonso: Well, the guy does know a thing or two about hitting home runs, considering he has smacked 684 of them in the regular season in his career - not to mention 19 more in the postseason.

ITS BEEN A LONG LONG TIME UP FULL

Is your favorite star headed to Hollywood? Full coverage » The All-Star Game in Los Angeles is just around the corner. Acuna hit 19 home runs in the round, before Alonso hit 20 to move to the finals.Ģ022 home runs: 5 | Longest: 426 feet 2022 MLB All-Star Game So far in 2022, he has hit just eight homers in 53 games, after blasting 24 long balls in 82 games before his season ended last summer.ĭerby fun fact: Acuna appeared in the 2019 Home Run Derby, eliminating Josh Bell in the first round before falling to, you guessed it, Alonso in the semifinals. Why he might not: After coming back earlier this season from an ACL injury suffered last July, Acuna's power stroke has been the last part of his game to return. While Acuna is known for his all-around skills and Alonso more for his slugging alone, their career home run totals show that the difference in power between the two National League East stars isn't as big as you might think: Why he could take down Alonso: There might not be another player in this year's field who competes with as much flair as Acuna does - and that could go a long way in front of a star-studded crowd in Los Angeles. (1998-99) and Yoenis Cespedes (2013-14) as the only back-to-back champions in derby history. When I was younger, my parents actually let me stay up past my bedtime to watch this.'Ĭlearly, all those nights staying up watching paid off for the Mets slugger.ĭerby fun fact: Alonso joined Ken Griffey Jr. Being able to showcase that and really put on a fun display for fans, it's truly a dream come true for me. When the event returned in 2021, Alonso outslugged the field at Coors Field in Denver, topping Trey Mancini in the final round and hitting 74 total home runs - including 20 that traveled at least 475 feet.Īfter his 2021 win, Alonso said: 'I think I'm the best power hitter on the planet.

in an epic derby battle by blasting a total of 57 long balls in Cleveland.

In 2019, Alonso took down Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 2022 MLB All-Star rosters: Biggest snubs, surprises and takeaways.Why he's the home run king: Alonso has participated in two All-Star Home Run Derbies during his MLB career and twice ended the night as champion - and twice won a $1 million prize for his efforts. Play: ESPN's Derby Pick'em Pete Alonso Isaiah J. We've broken down each player chosen - and his case for taking the belt from the Mets slugger known as 'Polar Bear.' MLB All-Star Home Run Derby bracket upsets the reigning champion in the first round? And how do the rest of the participants stack up to the home run king? With the first participant in this summer's eight-player field unveiled this past Monday, one thing is clear: Everyone will be trying to keep up with back-to-back derby champion Pete Alonso. Some of the biggest names in the sport are heading to Hollywood and gearing up to take aim at the Dodger Stadium bleachers on July 18 (8 p.m.

The field for the most anticipated event of the summer is now set. Who's ready for some MLB All-Star Home Run Derby excitement?

Its been a long long time up