MLB Home Run Derby 2012: Robinson Cano Won't Equal 2011 Title

Robinson Cano is as dangerous as any hitter in baseball, but the 2011 Home Run Derby champion will see somebody else lift the trophy this year.

Cano has been excellent as usual in the first half of the season, smashing 20 home runs in 316 at bats. He also ranks in the top 10 in the American League with a .316 batting average (seventh), 55 runs (sixth), a .585 slugging percentage (fourth) and a .960 OPS (fourth).

Despite his fantastic start to the season, Cano's success won't carry over to the All-Star festivities in Kansas City.

Nobody has won back-to-back Home Run Derbies since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1998 and 1999. The main reason behind this is simple: the MLB is loaded with power hitters.

With some of the best sluggers in baseball stepping up to the plate, it's nearly impossible to string together two winning performances in the Derby. I expect the trend to continue in 2012, as at least one of the seven other contestants will be able to best Cano.

Carlos Gonzalez, Carlos Beltran, Mark Trumbo, Matt Kemp, Jose Bautista, Giancarlo Stanton and Prince Fielder will be competing against Cano, and they all have a decent chance of winning.

While I wouldn't be surprised if a few players beat out Cano, I think there's one near-guarantee in the bunch: Prince Fielder.

The Detroit Tigers superstar won this contest back in 2009, and after a disappointing performance in last season's Derby, he will be hungry on Monday (pun not intended). I'm expecting a spectacular showing from the 275-pound Fielder, who will remind everyone why he's perfectly suited for this event.

He will raise the trophy on Monday, while Cano claps from the dugout.