Home Run Derby 2015: Full Breakdown Of All Participants
As the Inquisitr previously reported, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Albert Pujols will be partaking in the fourth Home Run Derby of his career on July 13 at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.
Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has said that he would not take part in the festivities due to his father being injured, since that’s the person he’d want throwing to him.
Today, the official participants were announced.
Kris Bryant, 3B – Chicago Cubs – 12 home runs during the current season.
Anthony Rizzo, 1B – Cubs – 16 home runs during the current season.
Albert Pujols, 1B – Angels – 26 home runs during the current season.
Manny Machado, 3B – Baltimore Orioles – 19 home runs during the current season.
Joc Pederson, OF – Los Angeles Dodgers – 20 home runs during the current season.
Prince Fielder, DH – Texas Rangers – 13 home runs during the current season.
Todd Frazier, 3B – Cincinnati Reds – 25 home runs during the current season.
Josh Donaldson, 3B – Toronto Blue Jays – 21 home runs during the current season.
This year’s derby is far different from any of the past, in which players will be facing off against each other in a timed five-minute first round.
According to ESPN, Bryant will face-off with Pujols, Machado with Pederson, Fielder with Frazier, and Donaldson with Rizzo, in order to see who advances to the next round.
Here are some immediate reactions from Twitter.
Wouldn’t it be logical to say the reigning back to back champ of the HR Derby was asked to participate? As well as the guy 2nd in the AL?
— Embarrassed Mets Fan (@MoMiller15) July 8, 2015
HR Derby by exit velocity on HRs Joc 106.5MPH Donaldson 105.2 Bryant 104.8 Rizzo 104.7 Fielder 104 Frazier 103.8 Pujols 103.5 Machado 101.5
— Daren Willman (@darenw) July 8, 2015
When you get left out of the HR Derby but it’s all good because you’ve already won it twice. pic.twitter.com/LVwPDRelth — Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) July 8, 2015
Trout said he knows Scioscia doesn’t like HR derby but that #Angels MGR “didn’t come up to me and say don’t do it. Was my decision.” — Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) July 8, 2015
Joc in the HR Derby! #JocJacks
— The Blue Ravine (@TheBlueRavine) July 8, 2015
no bartolo in the hr derby what is even the point of watching
— Lana Berry (@Lana) July 8, 2015
The Bryant and Rizzo HR Derby participation will be fun until they start talking about Jon Lester’s pickoffs and Starlin Castro’s laziness. — Matt Clapp (@TheBlogfines) July 8, 2015
I really don’t mind no Tigers being in the HR Derby. This timed format is begging for an injury. — Miguel Cabrera’s Bat (@Miggysbat) July 8, 2015
Would have preferred a Pederson/Bryant final instead of the semi-final in HR Derby. Should be plenty of HRs! #MVPtoASG
— Abel Carlos (@AbelCarlos82) July 8, 2015
HR Derby ready be LIT
— Jordan Young (@MoJoJoJeaux) July 8, 2015
Pointless to select Cespedes in the Final Vote after they didn’t leave a HR Derby spot for him. Probably pointless to watch HR Derby, too.
— Matthew Pouliot (@matthewpouliot) July 8, 2015
I love the HR Derby Field and the new format. Looking forward to it.
— Jimmy Stein (@LJSLaw) July 8, 2015
MLB really pimping their youth movement in the HR derby. Come watch our young, huge, swingin’ dongs!
— sal rinaudo (@SalTeamSix) July 8, 2015
Why can’t we have one HR derby without a blue jay in it? Yes I said WITHOUT.
— Drunk John Gibbons (@drunkgibbons) July 8, 2015
I hope Joc Pederson wins, but in reality I just want him to represent the Dodgers better than Puig did at the HR Derby.
— Francisco Jesús (@chuypaco7) July 8, 2015
[Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images]
