MLB All-Star Weekend: Home Run Derby Prediction
By Phil Bausk
Jul 15, 2013; Flushing, NY, USA; American League outfielder
Yoenis Cespedes(52) of the Oakland Athletics at bat during the Home Run Derby in advance of the 2013 All Star Game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
MLB-All Star Weekend officially began yesterday with the Futures Game, and now the Home Run Derby will entertain fans on Monday night at Target Field.
I don’t like the new format that the Derby uses, but, at the end of the day we are all going to remember the best individual performance of the evening and not if the American League or National League was victorious.
So in terms of a prediction, I am going to list in order of who will hit the most home runs and why. Pretty straightforward huh?
The front runner of this competition and the most likely to hit a homer that makes your eyes bleed. This might be the season of Giancarlo and much like Yoenis Cespedes last year, he’ll show off his abilities and take the stage away from the other competitors.
2. Yoenis Cespedes
There’s that man again! His stroke looks conducive to this competition and I think he really enjoyed all of that attention he got last year so look for him to soak it in because he doesn’t get that kind of spotlight in Oakland.
It’s a righty parade so far and Bautista will push Cespedes for the most homers by an AL competitor. This guy hits bullets , but not the rockets that Yoenis and Giancarlo hit.
He has some derby experience and would love to put on a show in front of his old home crowd. He also has a great home-run swing for a ballpark where right field may be the easiest place to hit it out.
5. Yasiel Puig
My prediction for Puig is a fantastic first round and then a drop off. He will flip his bat after he hits his 15th homer of the first round, but will run out of steam at some point. I get tired just watching him.
The current NL MVP in my eyes will captain this team but will not be the reason why they win. Tulo is having a great season but he just doesn’t seem like the right fit for the derby.
7. Brian Dozier
The Twins representative will have either nerves or adrenaline and probably both coursing through his veins when he steps to the plate. Unfortunately, he is Brian Dozier and he will NOT do so well in this competition. Brian Dozier ladies and gentleman.
Normally, I would have the Bringer of Rain a bit higher on this list but he has been struggling as of late. I don’t think the derby is the best place for him to turn it around but he will have some impressive line drives that don’t leave the park.
9. Todd Frazier
Also not a great guy for this competition. He hits opposite-field homers and doesn’t get much height under the ball. I would be shocked to see Frazier sniff the finals of this derby.
10. Adam Jones
I just don’t like the Baltimore Orioles right now and the swing of Mr. Jones. Also not a true home-run hitter and currently one of my least favorite players in the league. This choice is currently out of spite so if he wins…I know I can’t pick with my heart.