MLB Home Run Derby: 5 Pitchers struggling vs long ball in ’16

While the Home Run Derby puts on a great display of talent for fans and media, these five MLB pitchers have definitely been on the wrong side of the outcome when it has to do with regular season home runs in 2016.

At around the same time last season, the Kansas City Royals were all over the headlines because of the outrageous number of players in the running to start in the All-Star Game on the American League roster.

After people came to their senses and names like Omar Infante and Mike Moustakas were surpassed in voting by superior candidates, Kansas City found themselves with Salvador Perez catching, Alcides Escobar at shortstop and Alex Gordon manning the outfield alongside Lorenzo Cain. It wasn’t quite an infield composed strictly of Cubs like it is set to be in the NL this year, but there was plenty of Royals blue to go around.

In 2016, the Royals will again have Perez representing them in the starting lineup, as well as first baseman Eric Hosmer. They will have no representation in the Home Run Derby, but contestants of that would be elated to see a few Royals pitchers tossing the ball toward home plate for them in the competition.

In 2015 it was a Rockies pitcher (surprise) who gave up the most bombs. Kyle Kendrick allowed 33, as did James Shields. Kendrick’s 6.32 ERA isn’t going to cut it in the show and he has not appeared in an MLB game yet this season. Meanwhile, Shields is certainly trending downwards as well this season, with an overall 4-9 record and an ERA of 9.23 over six starts since being traded to the White Sox.

In honor of the derby, here are the five pitchers giving up the most long balls this season to opposing hitters. It’s not a feat anyone wants to be recognized for, but it’s noteworthy, because chicks dig the long ball — or something like that…

**Note: Four players are tied for second, so the tie-breaker is based on who has the highest ERA

Next: Number 5