Pete Alonso Headlines MLB HR Derby; Chasing #3

MLB Home Run Derby Preview & Predictions

Eight of some of the best sluggers from this MLB season will compete in a winner takes all Home Run Derby. In a “game-mode” that will factor in the amount of homers you hit and potentially the distance in which you hit them, these sluggers, who have combined for 159 of MLB‘s homers this year, will compete for the most home runs before moving on to one-on-one showdowns.

Here’s who is competing in the Home Run Derby:

• Gunnar Henderson, Orioles

• Pete Alonso, Mets

• Alec Bohm, Phillies

• Bobby Witt Jr., Royals

• Marcell Ozuna, Braves

• José Ramírez, Guardians

• Adolis García, Rangers

• Teoscar Hernández, Dodgers.

Longest Homer of the Year: Shohei Ohtani - 476 Feet

That’s right, this years longest home run belongs to a player who won’t be competing in tonights Home Run Derby. Shohei Ohtani was reportedly not cleared by the Dodgers to compete as he is still recovering from his elbow surgery.

Of the players competing, Bobby Witt Jr. has the longest home run of the year which is marked at 468 feet. The distance of your homer can come into play if you are tied with another player in the first round, where whoever had the longest ball would be moving on to the bracket-style play.

Favorites:

According to DraftKings, Pete Alonso is the favorite to take home the title this year with +320 odds followed by Marcel Ozuna, Bobby Witt Jr., and Gunnar Henderson all at +425.

Alonso has knocked out 19 home runs this year which is tied for 14th in MLB currently. So if he’s competing with guys like Henderson or Ozuna who have the top five most bombs this season then what makes Alonso the favorite? The guy is your 2019 & 2021 Home Run Derby winner. He has what it takes and is looking to join Ken Griffey Jr. as the only three-time HR Derby winner.

My Pick: 

There’s No Place Like Home: Adolis García

García has the benefit of the home crowd in Arlington. By winning he would become the third home team winner in the last 10 years joining Todd Frazier (2015) and Bryce Harper (2018). García ranks among the top of the group in average home run distance this season (402 feet) although among some of the fewest total in the field.

However, García knocked out 5 homers for the Rangers on their way to a World Series title and got a feel for the derby last season. My pick to take it home in a familiar ballpark is Garcia.