Home Run Derby bracket released: Who wins it all?
By Anthony Sosa
No. 2 Judge v. No. 7 Bour
The league leader in home runs in 2017, Aaron Judge takes the two-seed and squares off against Miami’s own first baseman Justin Bour.
Judge entered the 2017 season with a very short leash. After a disappointing short stint in the majors in 2016, Judge proved he was ready for the big leagues with his play this season. As the season turns toward the All-Star break, Judge looks like the favorite for AL MVP at the moment.
The 26-year-old has 29 home runs and recently put himself into the Yankees’ history books. His 29th home run tied Joe DiMaggio‘s Yankees rookie record for home runs in a season. Judge looks destined to break that record. Perhaps before the All-Star break.
Despite Judge’s strength and high expectations, don’t count out Bour just yet. Bour has 19 home runs on the season.
Maybe Bour can put on a show for his hometown crowd. Playing in Marlins Park on a regular basis plays to his advantage.
Who moves on?
With the way Judge has hit this season, one can’t bet against him. Tough luck for Bour, as he faces the hottest home run hitter in all of baseball.
Judge moves on to the next round. The only way Bour pulls the upset is if Judge overthinks it, tenses up and fails to capitalize on his time. That’s not likely, though.