Houston Astros: George Springer refuses to participate in Home Run Derby
By Keaton Moore
Not only is George Springer refusing to participate in the Home Run Derby for the second straight year, he is “not a fan of it.”
Although the All Star Game is now nothing more than an exhibition game, the Home Run Derby is riding a wave of recently increasing interest. Aaron Judge looks to do what Giancarlo Stanton did last year and drop the jaws of those in Marlins Park with his booming swing.
While many are beginning to open their minds to the excitement of the Derby, George Springer remains indifferent to it.
, Springer told the Houston Chronicle:
“I’m just not a fan of it. I don’t like it. I’m not a Home Run Derby guy. I’m not going to do it.”
Within his 18 home runs this season, Springer is shattering the mold of a typical leadoff batter. Instead of primarily reaching base and stealing bags, he has started off seven games with long balls. When he is not hitting it out of the park, Springer is batting.275 and leads the team with 42 RBI.
As a baseball fan, we should be sad about not seeing Springer swing for the fences in the Home Run Derby. Not only is Springer going yard at the fastest rate of his career, his 412 foot average for true home run distance tops that of the
, which is 400.5 feet.
His farthest hit home run, which came out to 467 feet, measures up as the eighth longest this season.
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Springer is fully entitled to his opinion on the Derby and it is shared with many others. Yet, wouldn’t it be great to see him seeing away in Miami? His ability is undeniable and he swings with power comparable to fellow sluggers, such as Joey Gallo and Stanton.