Having won the event twice, Prince Fielder is by far the most decorated participant in this year’s Home Run Derby field. (Image Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
Participants in this year’s Home Run Derby were revealed this evening in anticipation for the annual event that’s become nearly as popular (if not more) than the actual All Star Game itself. Robinson Cano and David Wright, deemed captains for this year’s event, revealed those players that will represent each league next Monday at 8:00 PM EST at New York’s Citi Field.
Cano, the American League captain from the New York Yankees and winner of the Derby in 2011 in Arizona, will be joined by Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles and Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers. Davis currently leads the Major Leagues in home runs, with 33 on the year already and was the leading overall vote-getter in being named a starter in Tuesday’s All Star Game. He’d openly stated in the past week that he’d love to be a part of the derby and was likely an easy choice to add to the team. Fielder won last year’s Derby in Kansas City and in 2009 in St. Louis, making him the only two-time winner in this year’s field.
One spot remains open on the AL side, as Cano is “waiting to hear” from his final choice.
Wright, the National League captain from the New York Mets, will be swinging away in his home park and will likely be an overwhelming fan favorite. He’ll be joined by Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals and a pair of Colorado Rockies, Michael Cuddyer and Carlos Gonzalez. Harper is one of the youngest participants in Derby history at just 20 years of age. Cuddyer and Gonzalez will mark just the sixth time since 1990 that teammates have appeared in the Derby together and first since 2011 (Fielder and Rickie Weeks represented the Milwaukee Brewers).