MLB Home Run Derby: Underrated options with loads of potential
The MLB Home Run Derby isn’t for a few more weeks, but it’s never too early to begin talk of who should participate. Surely there are going to be the main stars, including possibly Bryce Harper. But there are several other options, including lesser-known guys, that would make it more fun.
If every MLB Home Run Derby featured the top home-run hitters in the league, it would be phenomenal for many fans. However, if that were the case, any winner wouldn’t be a surprise.
Though Aaron Judge sat atop the rankings in the category, he was still a surprise. And unpredictability is one aspect the event needs to be entertaining.
Guys atop the leaderboard already denied participation in the event – Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez. However, Jose Ramirez, who has 22 bombs this year, plans to join the fun.
That leaves enough room to invite players that are relatively unknown for multiple reasons. First, their teams are already planning for the offseason. Second, injuries disallowed them to hit better than they have.
It doesn’t mean that some of the less recognized players aren’t mashers. Khris Davis is a prime example. He earns some recognition among most baseball fans – not as a premier slugger.
His numbers suggest otherwise, as he clocked more than 40 homers each of the past two years. Barring an extended stint on the disabled list, the Athletics outfielder should eclipse that number this year as well. Yet fans don’t acknowledge his prowess at the plate.
Therefore, this year’s MLB Home Run Derby should include multiple underdog candidates. While some are high-risk, high-reward hitters, others surely would give the audience a sight to see.
Unfortunately for baseball fans, two of the players that would be on the list are injured.
Franchy Cordero, who has knocked the longest home run this season, wouldn’t be able to participate. Also, Matt Adams, who could be the second representative of the home city, cannot either. It’s a shame.
Nevertheless, there are hundreds of baseball players in the league. Only eight obtain invites for this prestigious battle. And some of the hitters in this year’s smash-off should be from the following list.
MLB Home Run Derby : Evan Gattis
Just three players have crushed more home runs in June than Gattis. And considering that Gattis has been on a torrid stretch this month, it’s surprising.
Gattis endured a brutal dry spell to kick the year off. But he quickly made himself known again, primarily between May 27 and June 15. He clocked 10 bombs across 17 games in that span.
But this isn’t necessarily new to the designated hitter. He four 20-homer seasons on his resumé, including one in which he blasted 32 home runs.
Last year was the only time he didn’t eclipse the 20-homer mark, and it was essentially because he was platooning behind the plate with Astros catcher Brian McCann. Now that manager A.J. Hinch dedicated the DH spot to the 31-year-old, it’s all he has to focus on.
That’s definitely what the MLB Home Run Derby needs.
The only issue with “El Oso Blanco” is his inconsistency and tendency to strikeout. Of course, anyone missing balls being thrown 50 mph probably doesn’t deserve to be in the Derby anyway.
Nevertheless, Gattis is like the rest of the bunch in that he’s a risky option. He could easily swat double-digit home runs in each round. But there’s also a chance that he hits just one.
The last Houston player to participate in this event was Lance Berkman in 2008. He finished third in the contest behind Justin Morneau and Josh Hamilton.
There is an argument that George Springer would fare better in the event. However, Gattis would be a more entertaining contestant, solely because he would be a complete high-risk, high-reward guy.
He would make a lot of bettors delighted, yet he could also disappoint many.
MLB Home Run Derby: Scooter Gennett
Fewer than 20 players have been able to boast about smacking four home runs in one game and living to tell the tale.
Gennett just happens to be one of them. And he’s tied as the shortest player to accomplish the feat. More interestingly, he did it as a platoon player for the Reds, a team nowhere near playoff contention last year.
That night alone helped the infielder make a name for himself. While he has surprised many with his tremendous power this year, it was wholly predictable.
Gennett launched homers left and right during May. And his ability to turn up the heat at the plate surely qualifies him for the MLB Home Run Derby. Furthermore, he would potentially be the shortest guy of the bunch.
The 28-year-old is one of the premier players on the trade block as the deadline approaches. Thus, allowing him to hit in the event would be a perfect last appearance for Cincinnati.
Gennett has quite the case to be an All-Star anyway. He leads the National League in average and ranks in the top 20 in OPS in the MLB.
And he provides the audience with a feel-good story. Gennett wasn’t deemed one of the key contributors on his club at the beginning of the year.
In fact, it’s unsure whether he was ever considered a top prospect, as he was drafted in the 16th round and didn’t gain publicity until his four-homer performance.
Get this guy in the MLB Home Run Derby – for multiple reasons.
MLB Home Run Derby: Ichiro Suzuki
Give the fans what they want.
Since Ohtani will not return in time, which is a disappointment. The two-way player had six home runs before suffering an injury to his UCL. Hopefully, he will return soon.
In the meantime, a joke involving Ichiro Suzuki has arguably become a top headline in the news. Mariners manager Scott Servais told reports the seemingly-retired veteran should be in the contest.
Though Ichiro didn’t necessarily decline, the odds aren’t noteworthy. Nevertheless, that would be a story of its own, especially considering that he smacked 117 career home runs.
But the Hall of Fame outfielder already had one of the shining moments of the season. Moreover, the guy still takes batting practice on a daily basis, so he’s not technically out of practice.
However, Ichiro’s addition wouldn’t be to create more fireworks. It would clearly be a feel-good story. Yet, he could be allowed to hit somewhere in the infield to ensure he can compete with the rest of the crew.
Even more remarkable is that he’s never homered in Nationals Park. Any balls struck past the fence would arguably the first and last bombs in that stadium for his lengthy career.
This season seemed to be centered on Ohtani – at least throughout the first two months. But for one more night, the MLB could put Ichiro in the spotlight, even if he is eliminated in the first round.
That would get fans to their feet while providing an enormous round of applause.
MLB Home Run Derby: Mac Williamson
Fans want to see Madison Bumgarner in an MLB Home Run Derby at some point. Until then, Williamson will do.
The left-handed hitter makes AT&T Park look like his playground at times. And despite some injury issues, he has launched some home runs this year worthy of attention.
His longest bomb of the season landed 464 feet from the plate, which ranks as the 13th longest home runs this year.
Williamson wasn’t quite known for his power prior to this year. But a torrid start to the year in Triple-A changed that quickly.
The 27-year-old crushed eight home runs in 16 games before getting promoted. He continued his hot stretch by swatting three more homers in his first five MLB games.
Yet, a concussion and shoulder injury slowed him down. However, the outfielder is a microwave – he heats up quick. If he can return back to where he was at the beginning of the season, he could reach 15 to 20 home runs.
Nonetheless, that could be difficult at the Giants’ home field. Although, the San Francisco park doesn’t rank last in home runs this season, which is somewhat of a surprise.
Still, Williamson wouldn’t be mashing at his home field in the derby. And Nationals Park has a shorter right porch, which would provide him with an advantage.
While he could ultimately be a dud, he also has the potential to make a decent run at some point.
MLB Home Run Derby: Daniel Palka
Not many people probably know who Palka is. And that likely isn’t even a surprise to Palka himself.
However, fans will know who the White Sox infielder is soon enough. That’s because the 26-year-old hits the ball nearly as hard as anyone in the league.
And while the Chicago prospect has just six home runs on the season, he possesses a plethora of power in his swing. Moreover, he has a higher launch angle than most of the premier sluggers in the league, including Judge and J.D. Martinez.
Of course, that doesn’t mean he would fare better than either of the two in the home run contest. Judge is the defending champion, while Martinez leads the league in bombs.
But Palka remains an interesting option due to his appearance on Statcast leaderboards.
MLB Home Run Derby: Mark Reynolds
Reynolds racked up more than 150 strikeouts in seven seasons throughout his career. Yet, the veteran hitter also catapulted more than 25 home runs in five seasons as well.
He isn’t done yet, either.
The corner infielder enjoyed a Renaissance season in 2017, clobbering 30 bombs in 148 games. And after a brief hiatus from the majors, Reynolds returned in a big way, swatting two homers in his first appearance.
Though he hasn’t homered in June, the 34-year-old still has plenty of capability. While Matt Adams arguably deserves a spot for Washington over him, the left-handed slugger is hurt. Bryce Harper claimed he will already join the competition next month.
Thus, Reynolds wouldn’t necessarily represent the home city. Rather, he represents older veterans that want to prove they can still mash.
He would be the third-oldest player to win a Home Run Derby if he ever participates again.
MLB Home Run Derby: Franmil Reyes
Cordero suffered an injury just as Reyes earned a promotion to San Diego. With that switch, Padres fans didn’t lose any of Cordero’s flair at the plate.
That’s because Reyes replaced it with his own power.
Although the San Diego outfielder doesn’t possess as much pure power as Cordero, he still packs a punch. He’s only the second player on his club – not named Cordero – that crushed a 450-foot bomb this year.
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The 22-year-old whacked 14 home runs in just 38 Triple-A games this season. He added six bombs in his first 29 MLB games as well.
Like Cordero, Reyes has issues making contact sometimes. But he doesn’t need to hit 90-mph fastballs in every part of the field like a typical good hitter.
He just needs to crush it as far as he can. And that’s something he can do – rather easily too.
MLB Home Run Derby: Joc Pederson
Pederson essentially fell off the Earth last season, losing a starting spot in the Dodgers lineup. It was also the first time he failed to exceed 20 home runs in one year.
But the outfielder put himself back on track after a monstrous six-game stretch early this month that included six home runs. He has eight homers in total this month – he has just nine on the year.
Pederson entered the league as one of the most touted prospects. While he hasn’t completely panned out as people expected, he still has a strong hitting ability.
And the 26-year-old still wields loads of power. Also, he’s not new to the MLB Home Run Derby, as he competed in 2015, when he smacked 14 homers in the final round. However, the then-rookie finished second, even after the valiant effort.
Next: Which relievers will Houston target?
If he returned to the event, he could walk away an MLB Home Run Derby champion, just as he should have three years ago.