The 2017 MLB All-Star Game heads to Marlins Park in Miami on Tuesday, but before the main event, eight of the game's biggest bashers will go swing-for-swing in the bracket-style Home Run Derby. Defending champion and hometown star Giancarlo Stanton is the only player with prior Derby experience, but the rest of the field features some capable fresh faces.
No. 1 Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins, 23 home runs
The defending Derby champion will be the hometown pick in Miami. He smacked 61 homers, including 20 in the final round, at pitcher-friendly Petco Park. He's got the longest hit by a winner in the last seven competitions (497 feet).
There's obviously the comfort factor _ 13 of his homers have come at home this season, with 94 over his six seasons at Marlins Park. He's made his mark with top exit velocity, but many of those hits this year have been for doubles. He lifted the ball last year, and could get himself to the finals if he gets past the Yankees' Gary Sanchez.
No. 2 Aaron Judge, Yankees, 29 home runs
The Yankees wunderkind tied Joe DiMaggio's record for most home runs by a Yankees rookie (29), and each blast can take on a life of its own. The major-league home run leader holds the longest blast of 2017 at 495 feet, as well as five of the top six spots for exit velocity ranging from 121.1 miles per hour to 118.6. His average exit velocity sits at 97.3.
If you want to snag a Judge long ball in Miami, don't fall for the left field trap for a righty. He's just as likely to shoot it out to center or right. Factor in the numbers, the Miami heat and his flair for the dramatic, and the 6-foot-7, 282-pound slugger could walk away with the title.
No. 3 Cody Bellinger, Dodgers, 24 home runs
This Derby might belong to the kids. Bellinger has exploded onto the scene this year, hammering 24 home runs in 248 at-bats for the most in the National League. He's third in the majors with a .613 slugging percentage (Judge is first at .697). Bellinger is 11 homers shy of Mike Piazza's rookie record of 35 set in 1993. He'll turn 22 on July 13 and could be celebrating his first of multiple awards this season.
No. 4 Mike Moustakas, Royals, 25 home runs
Moustakas doesn't grab the headlines like some of the phenoms in this year's competition, but he's put together 25 homers, good for a tie with the Astros' George Springer for second in the majors. He's on pace to break the team's season record of 36, set by Steve Balboni in 1985. He's played in 26 major league stadiums over seven seasons, but has never taken the field in Miami. There's a first time for everything, but he'll have to get through No. 5 Miguel Sano and a possible matchup with Stanton to reach the final.
No. 5 Miguel Sano, Twins, 20 home runs
Sano already has almost matched last year's season total of 25 home runs. He has 35 home runs on the road and 28 on the road over his three-year career, and that comfort in unfamiliar places will come in handy considering he's never played a game at Marlins Park. If he can send a lot of drives over the wall in left-center (386 feet), this tournament could serve as a national coming out party where a big audience can take in his power for the first time. He's done a better job of hitting homers to all fields this year, sending 12 to center and right, as opposed to three in 2016.
No. 6 Charlie Blackmon, Rockies, 18 home runs
Blackmon leads all center fielders with 18 home runs, two ahead of the injured Mike Trout. His longest shot went 458 feet, only two feet shorter than Stanton's season best. You'll have to factor in the Coors Field effect, which favors the higher Colorado altitude 11-7. He's put two balls over the fence in Miami, hitting .234 in 51 plate appearances.
No. 7 Justin Bour, Marlins, 19 home runs
The pressure's on for Bour to upend some higher seeds and set up an all-Miami final with Stanton. He's got the power to do it, knocking 19 long balls this season. The vast majority of those have been pulled into the right field stands. 31 of his 58 career home runs have come at Marlins Park.
No. 8 Gary Sanchez, Yankees, 13 home runs
Despite all the hype surrounding Judge, Sanchez has been a Yankees phenom all his own. He hit 20 homers last season, good for No. 6 on the all-time Yankees rookie list, and he's put 13 over the fence so far in 2017 despite missing most of April with a strained biceps. He held the record for most home runs in a player's first 51 games until Bellinger broke it by hitting 21 earlier this season. While he hasn't been hitting at the same torrid pace in the first half of 2017, he could start some fireworks to answer back Logan Morrison's criticism about his selection.
Bracket
1. Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins vs. 8. Gary Sanchez, Yankees
4. Mike Moustakas, Royals vs. 5. Miguel Sano, Twins
3. Cody Bellinger, Dodgers vs. 6. Charlie Blackmon, Rockies
2. Aaron Judge, Yankees vs. 7. Justin Bour, Marlins
