Get the Navy ready to see some homers in Seattle. It’s time for the Home Run Derby of the MLB All Star Game.
Although MLB’s top home run hitter, Shohei Ohtani, will not be participating in this year’s contest, some of baseball’s best power ballers will be in attendance. Pete Alonso is looking for his third career win against the likes of Luis Robert and 2022 breakout star Julio Rodriguez.
Other participants are Vladimir Guerrero Jr., from Toronto, in his return; Adolis Garcia, of the Rangers; Randy Arozarena of the Rays; Mookie Betts of the Dodgers and Adley Rutschman of the Orioles.
It is a competitive field with much to offer. Juan Soto won last year’s edition at Dodger Stadium with 19 homers to RodrÃguez’s 18, and Albert Pujols surprised by facing Kyle Schwarber and Soto (although he lost to the latter 16-15).
Will Alonso be able to regain the throne? It would be the second winning triple in MLB history, joining Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr. Alonso is already one of four players to have won multiple Derbys, joining Griffey, Prince Fielder and Yoenis Céspedes.
It is not surprising, therefore, that he is the favorite to win this year. There are some legitimate contenders in the field, but with Soto sitting out this year, Alonso is now the bat to beat.
Eight players are participating in the 2023 event, with Alonso leading the betting. He has 25 home runs through June 6, tied with Robert for third in the league behind Ohtani (31) and Atlanta’s Matt Olson (29). He has an odds of +300 to win.
Guerrero and Robert are next at +360 and +500, respectively. The RodrÃguez complete the first places: Julio, +600 and Adolis, +700.
Garcia deserves a good, hard look as this year’s potential Derby winner. The Rangers outfielder has a propensity to hit rockets, and his weakness — strikeouts on chases — isn’t a factor in the batting-practice environment.
Rodriguez isn’t having an incredible sophomore season in Seattle, but he’s still burning balls when he hits them.