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Participants: AL- Prince Fielder, Robinson Cano, Chris Davis, Yoenis Cespedes
National League: Michael Cuddyer, Pedro Alvarez, Bryce Harpern, David Wright
On Monday afternoon, David Wright and Robinson Cano, the N.L. and A.L. captains respectively, chose the league representatives for the 2013 MLB Home Run Derby. The Derby is less than a week away as it will take place on Monday. Who made the cut? Here are the guys who will be hitting long balls next week.
NATIONAL LEAGUE SQUAD: David Wright- (13 Home Runs)
Michael Cuddyer (15 Home Runs)
Fans became familiar with the Colorado Rockies' outfielder after he went on a rampage. Cuddyer had a 27-game hit streak, giving the right-fielder national exposure. Wright probably wanted to seize the hype as the hitting streak was still fresh on everybody's mind. Cuddyer only has 15 home runs this season. His career high is 32, which he hit in 2009 as a member of the Minnesota Twins. Cuddyer looks like he will hit a lot of line drives and might have to pray for a healthy wind to guide his balls over the walls of Citi Field as only six of his 15 home runs have come on the road.
Carlos Gonzalez (24 Home Runs)
The Rockies took over the home run derby this year. The problem with these guys is that the Colorado air is way thinner than the air in Queens. However, Gonzalez should not have any problems hitting lasers over the right-field wall at Citi Field. Gonzalez is a true slugger as his 24 home runs are tops in the National League. Gonzalez participated in the derby last season and only hit four home runs, which was not enough to get him out of the first round.
Bryce Harper (13 Home Runs)
The good news for the Washington Nationals is that Harper won't be one of the little kids going after flyballs as the sluggers attempt to send pitches over the fence. Harper, who is one of the most recent phenoms to impress at the major league level will be in this year's home run derby. Harper's only hit 13 home runs due to time spent on the disabled list, but he has such a deadly swing, who knows how many pitches he can send over the fence?
AMERICAN LEAGUE SQUAD: Robinson Cano- 20 Home Runs (2011 Champion)
Chris Davis
If you are a fan of home runs, you must know who this guy is. All there is to say about Davis is his MLB leading 33 home runs in 2013.
Prince Fielder (15 Home Runs)
The defending champion looks to defend his crown at the home run hitting competition. The 2012 Champion heads to Citi Field where he will attempt to hit another 28 home runs, which was the total Fielder hit in last year's derby to win it all. Can Fielder tie Ken Griffey Jr., who owns three Home Run Derby titles? Can Fielder also become the only other player to win back-to-back derbies since Griffey Jr. accomplished the feat in 1998 and 1999?
Miguel Cabrera (28 Home Runs)
Last year's triple crown winner, Miguel Cabrera, said he would participate if his back wasn't hurting. Cabrera's 28 home runs are second in the majors, trailing only Davis. If he can surpass Davis' home run total during the season, he will threaten to capture his second straight triple crown as he's currently leading baseball in batting average and RBI with .364 and 90, respectively.
