The Home Run Derby: Who should be in?

Home Run Derby.

Average distance

Here’s where matters start to get interesting, and possibly controversial. Qualifiers in this category are determined by the average home run carry of every player with a minimum of 15 home runs by the June 18 cutoff date. The results may be surprising.

The first qualifier, at an average home run distance of 423.69 feet, is Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon. Of Blackmon’s first 16 home runs, seven traveled in excess of 425 feet, and the shortest flew an impressive 381 feet.

Like Alonso, Blackmon also brings personality to the contest. Consider only his beard and his nickname, Chuck Nasty. There has to be a place in the event for him.

But, you say, Blackmon plays half his games in Colorado, where the thin air maximizes ball flight, giving him a big advantage. Your point is cheerfully granted…next case.

The runner-up for pure carry is Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta outfielder. The average distance of an Acuna blast this season is 419.56 feet, topping out at 462 feet. Also like Blackmon, Acuna doesn’t do cheapies. His shortest home run this season flew 389 feet.

We’ve now named half the field, but the competition for the remaining four spots is only going to grow more intense. It will intensify even more once the fifth slot, the one going automatically to the defending champion, is filled.