Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton Take Center Stage For The Home Run Derby In Miami
I love the excitement of the season but I also enjoy the all -star break because of the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game.
This year the events are being held in Florida at Marlins Park home of the National League East member Miami Marlines.
Tonight we start the week off with the Home Run Derby. A couple players to watch are defending champion Miami right -fielder Giancarlo Stanton and New York rookie right -fielder Aaron Judge. Aaron Judge was leading vote-getter for this year's all-star game as well as he leads the Major Leagues with thirty-four home runs his counterpart, Giancarlo Stanton has 26 home runs this season. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
One of every 6.8 hits was a homer through the end of June, and 11 players had already reached 20 home runs with more than half the season to go. Last season, a record 111 players finished the year with 20 or more homers. That number could reach 130 this year. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Batting practice is becoming as entertaining as the games in many parks. Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ 6-7, 282-pound rookie phenom, draws huge crowds for BP at home games, where fans watch from a “Judge’s Chambers” seating area and show up in black robes and long white cotton wigs. They “ooh” and “aah” as the slugger crushes towering fly balls over the fences in every direction. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
In early May, Judge obliterated a TV set on the left field terrace at Yankee Stadium with a blast that traveled in the neighborhood of 475 feet. A few weeks later, in Oakland, he knocked two into the Plaza Reserve upper level, nearly hitting an unsuspecting fan in the head. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Judge’s major-league-leading 30th home run Friday broke Joe DiMaggio’s franchise record for rookies, and according to Statcast, he also boasted the hardest hit (121 mph) and longest (495 feet at home against the Orioles on June 11) homers of the season. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
the Marlins outfielder and face of the franchise who has 26 home runs this season. Stanton recorded the longest home run in recent years when he belted a 504-foot moonshot on Aug. 6, 2016. The showdown between the hulking hitters promises the be one of the most sizzling events of the All-Star festivities. "according to tohttp://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
“It’s the kind of a thing where we both have to talk about all the time but don’t even know each other, or said hello,” Stanton said. “It’s like the twin you’ve never met, I guess. Everyone’s comparing us to each other. We don’t even know each other.” "According to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Marlins Park is one of the stingiest ballparks in the majors in terms of allowing home runs. Since it opened in 2012, the only stadium that has yielded fewer home runs is AT&T Park in San Francisco. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
But the eight sluggers in this year’s Home Run Derby are powerful enough to clear the fences at any of the league’s parks. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Stanton was the first player to accept an invitation for the 2017 Derby, setting the stage for what should be a fun night for Marlins fans. He will be on his home turf and hopes to repeat last year’s performance in San Diego when he belted 61 homers over three rounds to beat Chicago White Sox third baseman, Todd Frazier. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Judge won the College World Series Home Run Derby in 2012, and he ranks second all-time behind Mark McGwire (33 in 1987) for most homers by a rookie in the season’s first half. Consider that Judge averages one home run every 10 trips to the plate. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
“I’m pretty sure the excitement will be through the roof,” Judge said. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Said Stanton: “I think it will be the most exciting one in a long time, actually. Some good lefties in there to get that upper deck. Power righties, also. So it’s going to be good.” "According to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Stanton and Judge are the headliners, but there are plenty of other power hitters who could put on a show. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
The rest of the field includes the Marlins’ Justin Bour, the Yankees’ Gary Sanchez, the L.A. Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger, the Minnesota Twins’ Miguel Sano, the Colorado Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon and the Kansas City Royals’ Mike Moustakas. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Judge and Blackmon were already headed to Miami as fan-elected starters for Tuesday’s All-Star Game. Sano, Stanton, Bellinger, and Sanchez were selected as reserves. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Sanchez has an average exit velocity of 109.8 mph, second only to Judge among players with 10 or more home runs. He missed a month of the season with a biceps injury but still managed 13 home runs. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Bellinger became the first rookie to hit 10 homers over 10 games. Although he did not make his major-league debut until April 25, he led the National League with 25 homers. The 21-year-old is also known for his perfect left-handed swing, reminiscent of Ken Griffey Jr." according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Kansas City Royals' Mike Moustakas is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, July 7, 2017, in Los Angeles. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Mark J. Terrill AP
Another lefty to watch is Moustakas, who has 25 home runs. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Although all eyes will be on Stanton, he insists he feels no pressure. “I’m going to have fun. I don’t care. I’ve already won one, so I’m really just having fun. It’s not life or death.” "according to
Stanton is bringinhttp://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.htmlg back Pat Shine, a former Marlins assistant coach who pitched to him in last year’s Derby, to throw to him again. Bour will use Marlins outfield coach Lorenzo Bundy.
This will be the third year with the new format, which features players racing against the clock in a head-to-head bracket format. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Babe Ruth once said of hitting home runs: “I swing as hard as I can, and I try to swing right through the ball. In boxing, your fist usually stops when you hit a man, but it’s possible to hit so hard that your fist doesn’t stop. I try to follow through in the same way. … I swing big, with everything I’ve got. I hit big or I miss big. I like to live as big as I can.” "According to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Babe Ruth crosses home plate following a two-run home run off National League starting pitcher Bill Hallahan in the third inning of the first All-Star Game ever played, July 6, 1933. Greeting Ruth at home plate are, from left: Yankee teammate, Lou Gehrig and White Sox bat boy, John McBride. Barely visible behind Gehrig is National League catcher Jimmie Wilson. The American League won 4-2. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
These days, players are stronger than ever and swinging bigger than ever. Pitchers are throwing harder, bats are made better, balls are tighter, and skeptics would argue there may be performance enhancers that get by the current testing. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
“I’m going to try to wear out the upper deck,” Bour said. “I think it’s going to be a great event. The ball is going to be flying everywhere. You don’t really do this thing just to compete. [But] if Stanton or I win, that would be great.” "According to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Outlook: The reigning champion defends his title in his home ballpark, which could be a good thing for Stanton, who has hit 94 of his career home runs at Marlins Park. Stanton broke records for most homers (61) in Derby history at Petco Park last season and his longest traveled (497 feet). He has 26 so far this season.
Seeded player: 2. Aaron Judge, OF, New York Yankees
Outlook: Judge has been the story of the season in the majors and became the first Yankee rookie ever to hit 30 or more home runs in a season, surpassing Joe DiMaggio’s record (29). With many comparing the young power hitter to Stanton due to his powerful swing and comparable physique, many around baseball have their fingers crossed that Judge and Stanton will meet in an epic final round. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Seeded player: 3. Cody Bellinger, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers
Outlook: While Judge has made an almost air-tight case for Rookie of the Year in the American League, Bellinger is making his own mark among rookies in the National League with 25 homers. His timely and powerful bat and versatility on the field have been major reasons the Dodgers head into the break with the best record in the NL. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Seeded player: 4. Mike Moustakas, 3B, Kansas City Royals
Outlook: Moustakas, with 25 homers, nabbed a spot in the Derby and later a spot in the All-Star Game by finishing first on the AL Final Vote ballot. Two years removed from winning a World Series championship, Moustakas is chasing the Royals’ team record for homers in a season (36) set by Steve Balboni in 1985. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Seeded player: 5. Miguel Sano, 3B, Minnesota Twins
Outlook: Like his first-round opponent Moustakas, Sano has never hit a ball in Marlins Park. Don’t be surprised if he gets acclimated quickly, though, as 35 of his 63 home runs during his first three seasons in the majors have come at road parks. Sano (21 HRs) could prove to be one of the sleeper contenders in this year’s competition should any of the favorites falter. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Seeded player: 6. Charlie Blackmon, OF, Colorado Rockies
Outlook: The oldest player in the Derby is having one of the best hitting seasons of any player at his position. He enters the break with the most homer (20) of any center fielder, and earlier this season hit a ball 458 feet. Can he duplicate the success he has had at hitter-friendly Coors Field in Miami is the question. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Seeded player: 7. Justin Bour, 1B, Miami Marlins
Outlook: Bour’s powerful lefty bat could prove to be an advantage if he can pull some to the right-field stands as he does often at his home park. Bour overcame an awful April in which he hit only .222 with four homers with a spectacular May in which he hit .344 with 11 home runs. Bour (20 HRs) has the tallest task of anyone in the first round — literally and figuratively — as he is bracketed against Judge. But an upset could really make things interesting especially if his teammate Stanton also gets far enough to meet him in the final. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
Seeded player: 8. Gary Sanchez, C, New York Yankees
Outlook: The Yankees’ second-year catcher’s first-half home run totals are low (13) since he missed most of April with a biceps strain. But while he received sharp criticism from former Marlin Logan Morrison, one of the league’s leaders in the category this season, Sanchez has proven his home run potential with 33 in his first 112 career games. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
ANDRE C. FERNANDEZ
Miami Marlin's right fielder Giancarlo Stanton is congratulated by teammates Dee Gordon after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Marlins Park on Thursday, June 29, 2017, in Miami. "according to http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article160443454.html
How many home runs will it take for the rookie right fielder Aaron Judge to knock off defending Home Run Derby champion Giancarlo Stanton? Will another player knock Giancarlo Stanton off? One thing is for certain it's going to be a great night to see the New York right-fielder who is 6"7 282 pounds who leads the major leagues in home runs this season against defending champion Miami right -fielder Giancarlo Stanton who is one inch shorter than Aaron Judge at 6"6 249 pounds. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/30583/giancarlo-stanton
The Home Run Derby wil start at 8pm and it will be televised on ESPN.