Home Run Derby bracket released: Who wins it all?
By Anthony Sosa
No. 1 Stanton v. No. 8 Sanchez
As mentioned earlier, Stanton won the 2016 Home Run Derby at Petco Park. He smacked a record 61 home runs. One of MLB’s most feared hitters, Stanton showed how well he can do in the Home Run Derby. So well that he earned the number-one seed in the 2017 Home Run Derby.
The 28-year-old has hit 231 home runs in his eight big league seasons. In 2017, Stanton has hit 23 homers. He has a shot to set a new career high in home runs. The most Stanton has hit in a season is 37 in 2012 and 2014. The big slugger is tied for the seventh-most home runs in baseball this season.
Opposing Stanton is Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez. The 24-year-old exploded onto the scene last season when he hit 20 home runs in just 53 games. His stellar play in 2016 earned him consideration for AL Rookie of the Year honors. He finished second behind Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer.
Sanchez has 13 home runs in 2017. He has the lowest amount of anyone in the Home Run Derby. Sanchez missed almost a month of the season with a biceps injury. Despite the lack of homers in 2017, Sanchez should still impress in the derby.
Though not everyone’s happy about Sanchez’s invitation. Rays first baseman Logan Morrison expressed his displeasure with Sanchez receiving an invite to the event. Morrison has 24 home runs in 2017.
Who moves on?
Expect Stanton to put on more of a display than he did in 2016. He’ll put on a great show for his home fans in Miami.
Stanton moves on to the second round with relative ease. No worry for Sanchez, as this more than likely won’t be his last Home Run Derby.