4 Down, 4 To Go...Building the Field for the Home Run Derby
Who wants to hit some bombs?
Major League Baseball has a problem on its hands. The problem is the format of the Home Run Derby. The players do not seem as excited as usual about this event and it seems like this has been an ongoing trend over the last few years. As a result, we are seeing a lack of participation in the event from the top home run hitters in the league. Let us not kid ourselves, Pete Alonso virtually got a bribe to participate again this year. That being said he is currently only the 4th player to commit to the derby so far this year joining Alec Bohm, Bobby Witt Jr., and Gunnar Henderson.
Why is that? Is it the pattern of slumps following the derby that we have seen in recent history? Is it the risk of injury from extra swings or the new rules in the competition? In my opinion, there are multiple factors at play here. Although we cannot force players like Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, and Yordan Alvarez to participate in the Home Run Derby, we can discuss what players available could make up the best field for this year’s derby. Below are 4 fun options to get into the Derby. Let us start with Cleveland’s superstar, Jose Ramirez!Â
4) Jose Ramirez
Everyone loves J-Ram. If you don’t, you are simply a hater or a supporter of an American League Central team that is not the Guardians. Ramirez is hands down one of the best players in the league and showing us that fact yet again in his 12th season.
2024 Stats = .271 AVGÂ | 23 HR | 76 RBI | .853 OPS | 2.9 WAR
3) Kyle Schwarber
Schwarber hits bombs plain and simple. Honestly, that is pretty much all he does. Please do not take me literally with this one, but yes anyone who watches baseball knows Schwarber is a one-trick pony. He absolutely mashes the baseball when he gets ahold of one and watching him hit is one of the great parts of our game.Â
2024 Stats = .250 AVGÂ | 17 HR | 49 RBI | .820 OPS | 1.8 WAR
2) Adolis Garcia
Garcia is consistently lighting up his Baseball Savant page in red when it comes to average exit velocity (currently he averaging 91.3 MPH / 81%). He is another player who when he connects with a pitch, hits missiles. Garcia is not having the season I envisioned he would thus far but is still good for 16 bombs on the year.Â
2024 Stats = .215 AVGÂ | 16Â HR | 44 RBI | .694 OPS | 0.3 WAR
1) Rafael Devers
I hate the fact that I love Rafael Devers. It is a miserable feeling being a New York Yankee fan when Devers comes into town, as he goes to the next level when facing his primary foe. Devers is one of the best hitters in the league and getting him into the derby would be good for baseball. One of baseball's biggest stars and he is on a tear right now.Â
2024 Stats = .293 AVGÂ | 21 HR | 55 RBI | .971 OPS | 3.1 WAR
Be sure to check out our latest episode where we discuss All-Star snubs through Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Music.