MLB: Who should hit for $1 million in the 2019 Home Run Derby

When it comes to All-Star Games, the MLB has the best showcase in all of professional sports. From the actual All-Star Game to the Home Run Derby, no other sport showcases itself better.

And, with the announcement from MLB that the winner of the Home Run Derby will get a $1 million prize, the showcase should become even more spectacular.

The $1 million prize was announced Thursday by MLB in a deal that included several changes agreed upon by the League and the Player’s Association. In an article by David Adler with MLB.com, Joey Gallo said about the announcement:

“I have always said if they want guys doing these things, you’ve got to have some incentives for the guys. The NBA started doing [that], when you win the All-Star Game, the guys on those teams get paid. Now it’s more competitive; guys actually want to play. It’s a really good idea for MLB to do that.”

Players have often avoided the Home Run Derby because of the toll it takes on the body and the belief that it affects their swings. In 2014,  Neil Greenberg of The Washington Post addressed this question and found that players who participate in the Home Run Derby see a slight decrease in power in the second half of the season. But, they saw that players who do not participate in the Home Run Derby see the same decrease in the second half of the season. Greenberg wrote about the myth:

The notion that participating in the home run derby can ruin your swing is a myth. Instead, it looks like hitters just get a little less lucky on the fly balls leaving the yard.

Since the Home Run Derby does not change a player’s swing, there should be no excuse for not participating in it. So, who should try to hit for the extra $1 million at Progressive Field in July? I’ve got a few favorites from each division.

There are a few gimmes in this list from the AL East, especially since some of the best hitters in the game play for the Yankees and Red Sox.

My first choice in the AL East is J.D. Martinez. He has one of the most beautiful and effortless swings in the game and with the second-most home runs in the AL in 2018, he should have a good chance to add $1 million to his $110 million contract. He hit 43 dingers in 2018 and 45 in 2017.

Along with Martinez, Mookie Betts is another Red Sox player who could put on a show. While his home run numbers aren’t as stellar as Martinez’s, Betts can hit the long ball. He knocked in 32 of them in 2018.

I’d also love to see Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton go head-to-head and back-to-back (again) in a Home Run Derby now that they are teammates. Of course, $1 million to Stanton is nothing, considering he has a contract that earns him over 325 of them. Judge hasn’t made $1 million in a year, so the prize money might be more incentive for him to participate. Stanton hit 38 dingers in his first season as a Yankee and Judge hit 27 in his injury-shortened 2018 season.

The other three teams in the AL East also have players who could easily participate. If healthy, Avisail Garcia of the Tampa Bay Rays could easily put on a show. The Blue Jays have Justin Smoak, who hit 25 home runs in 2018 and 28 in 2017. If Vlad Guerrero, Jr gets in the Show, he could show off his swing, too.

It might be the weakest division in the MLB, but there are still a few hitters who can knock the ball out of the park with some Midwest muscle. With the Indians hosting the Home Run Derby, the AL Central hitters know their way around Progressive Field and the party should be a feast for the eyes.

The Cleveland Indians have two of the best young hitters in the division. Francisco Lindor hit 38 home runs and could certainly hit a few into right field. He would have to be joined by Jose Ramirez who actually hit one more dinger than Lindor in 2018. These two could pack a wallop and would bring the biggest cheers from the home crowd.

Just around the bend, the Detroit Tigers have two players who should also enter the ring. While I have no doubt that he will NOT enter, I (and many others) would love to see Miguel Cabrera hit more out at Progressive. Take away the home runs he hit in his home stadiums in Detroit and Miami, he has hit more home runs in Cleveland than at any other away city.

I would also like to see another Tigers rookie enter the competition. Christin Stewart is known for his powerful bat. He’s already hit two home runs in Spring Training and during his cup of coffee in 2018, he hit two in one of the 17 games he played. With meatballs thrown his way at the Home Run Derby, he could be a surprise finalist.

The White Sox also have a few men who could enter the arena: Jose Abreu, Yonder Alonzo, and Daniel Palka. Palka led the ChiSox in home runs in 2018 with 27 and Abreu is a perennial power hitter. If Eloy Jimenez gets a chance in Chicago, he and Stewart could battle it out for the top home-run hitting rookie.

Finally, the Twins could have a few additions that could add some drama to the Derby. Nelson Cruz is their new DH and that cat can hit. Wouldn’t it something to see Cabrera and Cruz battle it out for the crown of AL Central Home Run King! CJ Cron hit 30 home runs with the Rays in 2018 and if Miguel Sano stays healthy, he could be a force, too.

Yeah, there are at least two no-brainers in the AL West, but there are a few other power hitters who could take top honors.

First, no list of dream Home Run Derby entrants would be complete without several of the Angels. Mike Trout and Albert Pujols would be something to see. But, Justin Upton shouldn’t be left out of the conversation. He may not have the same home-run hitting clout that Trout and Pujols have, but J-Up’s baseballs can find their way over any fence and the 30 he hit out in 2018 are proof.

While I would love to see a grouping of Nelson Cruz, Miguel Cabrera, and Albert Pujols slug it out, the list would not be complete without the Mariners Edwin Encarnacion. If healthy in early July, these four AL sluggers are in a class all their own. In fact, these four are the top four active home run hitters in the MLB. Pujols (633), Cabrera (465), Encarnacion (380), Cruz (360).

Seeing those four career leaders battle against the AL 2018 home run leader, Khris Davis would be worth the price of admission. Davis his 48 home runs in 2018. He hit 43 in 2017 and 42 in 2016. A Derby without Davis just doesn’t seem right.

Both teams in Texas have some power hitters that should enter the competition, too. Statistics show that Joey Gallo can really only hit home runs, so he needs to try his hand at winning $1 million. I’d also like to see Alex Bregman work the camera as he pounds home run after home run in the Derby. George Springer should also enter as he seems to be able to hit them out in clutch situations.

 There is no doubt that fans on the East Coast will have some outstanding baseball to watch in 2019. And, many of the better hitters in the game are in the NL East.

Of course, the Phillies front man, Bryce Harper should try for a repeat of his title. But, he should also be joined by teammates like Rhys Hoskins and J.T. Realmuto who hit 34 and 21 respectively. With Salvador Perez of the Royals out for the season after Tommy John surgery, Realmuto would be the only catcher in the competition.

The Mets added some power to their lineup and Robinson Cano should join the other big hitters in the AL and enter the ring. Cano is in seventh place with 311 home runs. Todd Frazier won the Derby a few years ago when he played with the Reds. Could the Todd Father regain his title? He only hit 18 in 2018, which is a far cry from his career high 40 in 2016 with the White Sox.

The young guys in Atlanta and Washington could also show off their skills in the Derby. Ronald Acuna, Jr with the Braves and Victor Robles and Juan Soto with the Nats would be fun to watch. Freddie Freeman tried his hand in the Derby last year and he could be one of the top veterans again.

The NL Central, like the AL Central, has some big hitters who show off some big Midwestern chops.

The Cubs have Kyle Schwarber, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, and Anthony Rizzo who could all get hot at just the right time. Schwarber and Baez were in the Derby in 2018 and could certainly try it again. Bryzzo in the Derby would draw fans who absolutely love those two corner infielders.

Milwaukee also has plenty of big hitters who would be fun to watch in the Derby. Jesus Aguilar made a name for himself in 2018 with 35 home runs. Mike Moustakas set a home-run record with the Royals back in 2017 when he hit 38 dingers. He could certainly give any entrant a run for his money. Ryan Braun is sitting in sixth place with 322 home runs on the Active Leader list. He may not hit them at the same clip, but if he’s healthy he could enter, too. It would also be something to see Christian Yelich battle it out against Giancarlo Stanton, for old time’s sake.

I’d like to see Paul Goldschmidt represent the Cardinals. He quietly hit 33 home runs in 2018. A Goldie-winning-the-Derby celebration would most likely be an anathema to Harper’s celebration. Honestly, what would Goldschmidt do if he did win? The only way to find out is if he actually does it.

The NL Central has the new-and-improved Cincinnati Reds in it, too. Someone needs to talk Yasiel Puig into participating, because his bat licking and tossing have become an art. If Puig enters, Joey Votto has to, too.

Finally, the NL West doesn’t quite have the same big boppers that some of the other division have, but there are a few who could get the job done.

Firstly, Nolan Arenado must enter. After signing his massive contract to be a Rockies-for-life, he’s got to show MLB fans who don’t see much NL West action that he’s more than just a guy who can play third base better than anyone on the planet. Trevor Story has been known to hit a few dingers (37 in 2018) and would be an entertaining addition to the Derby, too. And, what’s a collection of Rockies home run hitters without Charlie Blackmon. That guy just oozes cool.

If the MLB wants to make some more changes to the Home Run Derby, they should require at least one player from every position to enter. Including pitcher! No pitcher rakes better than Madison Bumgarner, who has 17 in his career.

There are a few players on the Dodgers roster who can knock one out, including Max Muncy, Joc Pederson, and Cody Bellinger. Muncy hit 35 in 2018 and the rest of the bunch hit at least 10 fewer.

At least one Padre should enter, too. Just like the other top paid ball players, Manny Machado should show what he’s made of in the Derby, too. Hunter Renfroe hit 26 home runs in 117 games. He could make a name for himself if he were to enter, too.