MLB All Star Game: breaking down the Home Run Derby field
By Aaron Somers
May 30, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) hits a home run in the fifth inning in a game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays (captain)
Bautista is leading the majors with 61 walks, but his 17 home runs are of more interest for the purposes of this field. He’s batting .292/.412/.510 on the year.
Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
Jones has hit 16 home runs so far for the Orioles, giving him 81 total since the start of the 2012 season (most in the majors among outfielders). He’s hitting .304/.327/.493.
Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland Athletics
Cespedes won it all last season and is looking to be the first back-to-back winner of the Home Run Derby since Ken Griffey Jr. (’98-’99). He has 14 home runs to go with a .253/.307/.453 line.
Josh Donaldson, Oakland Athletics
Batting just .241/.322/.459 on the year, Donaldson has 20 home runs and is well on his way to surpassing last year’s career high of 24 with half a season to play.
Brian Dozier, Minnesota Twins
The home team representative, Dozier’s going to be facing plenty of pressure to put in a solid showing. He has 16 home runs on the year, already a career best, while hitting .234/.337/.413 with an AL-leading 66 runs scored.