Very few events in the sporting world create the excitement that the home run derby does. The best sluggers in the world get a chance to compete to see who is the king of home run hitting.
Weeks before the home run derby there is always debate on who will participate. With so many talented sluggers in the league it’s impossible to include all of them.
Home run derby contestant one- Corey Seager- Texas Rangers
The defending champion Texas Rangers will be the “host” team for the home run derby and all star game this season. The host team almost always gets a representative in the home run derby. For the Rangers, Seager is an easy choice. The world series MVP got off to a cold start but has picked up his play recently. Through 62 games Seager has hit 14 home runs. Seager has competed in the derby two other times, in 2016 as a Dodger and 2022 as a Ranger.
Home run derby contestant two- Vladimir Guerrero jr.- Toronto Blue Jays
The 2023 home run derby champion should get the chance to defend his crown. Very similar to Seager, Guerrero jr. got off to a cold start but has found his swing in recent games. Although he only has seven home runs through 72 games, his past home run derby’s showed he can hit home runs better than almost anyone. In 2019 he made it to the final round but lost to Pete Alonso, and in 2023 he got over the hump and won the whole derby.
Home run derby contestant three- Shohei Ohtani- Los Angeles Dodgers
Ohtani is one of the best pure power hitters in the league. Through 71 games he has a slugging percentage of .601. If this holds he will have two straight seasons of having a slugging percentage of .600 or above. Ohtani made history in 2021 by being the first pitcher and Japanese born player to participate in the derby. He lost in the first round to Juan Soto in overtime, but everyone knows Ohtani has the ability to outslug anyone.
Home run derby contestant four- Juan Soto- New York Yankees
Although Aaron Judge is unlikely to do the home run derby again, the same can’t be said for his teammate Juan Soto. Through 71 games Soto has 18 home runs. Soto participated in the 2021 and 2022 home run derby’s. In 2021 he made it to the second round before losing to the eventual champion Pete Alonso. In 2022 he won the derby, hitting a combined 53 home runs between the three round.
Home run derby contestant five- Marcell Ozuna- Atlanta Braves
Despite their superstar Ronald Acuna jr. being out for the season with an injury, the Braves have still managed to be competitive. One big reason is because of the rise of their DH Marcell Ozuna. Through 70 games Ozuna leads the national league in home runs with 20 and slugging percentage at .611. Ozuna is a two time all star and has hit 40 home runs in a season before. Despite this Ozuna has never competed in the home run derby.
Home run derby contestant six- Bryce Harper- Philadelphia Phillies
Harper has proven throughout his career that he is one of the most consistent power hitters in the league. Through 67 games this season he has 15 home runs. Harper has been a part of the home run derby twice. In 2013 he made it to the final round before losing to Yoenis Cespedes. In 2018 he represented the hometown Nationals and won the home run derby. He has yet to participate in the home run derby as a Phillie.
Home run derby contestant seven- Gunnar Henderson- Baltimore Orioles
The 2023 American League rookie of the year has taken the leap to stardom in year two. Through 71 games he has a wins above replacement of 5.0 according to baseball reference. He has already hit 22 home runs this season. For reference he hit 28 home runs during his entire rookie season. Although he did not participate in the derby during his rookie season his sophomore season would be the perfect time.
Home run derby contestant eight- William Contreras
The Brewers are a team that have surpassed all expectations for themselves in the 2024 season. One big reason is due to the play of Contreras. Through 71 games he holds a batting average of .304. Although he only has nine home runs this season, the defending champion Gurrero jr. only has seven. It’s important to remember that sometimes the regular season stats can’t make up for the pure skill required to win the home run derby. He holds a hard hit rate of 54.1 percent, which as of June 19 places him 11th in the entire MLB.
