2013 College Baseball Home Run Derby: Biggest Surprises of Omaha Showcase
The 2013 College Baseball Home Run Derby showcased some dangerous sluggers on Wednesday in Omaha, but there were plenty of dark horses who came out of nowhere to steal their thunder.
In fact, the player with the fewest home runs last season among the eight competitors made it all the way to the final.
As for the leading slugger?
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Read on.
Here are the biggest surprises of the 2013 College Baseball Home Run Derby on Wednesday.
Louisiana Lafayette's Caleb Adams Bows Out in 1st Round
Louisiana Lafayette outfielder Caleb Adams hit .339 with 16 home runs and 55 RBI last season for the Ragin Cajuns, but he fell in the first round after hitting just three home runs.
Adams led all derby participants with 16 home runs this season, but he wasn't able to get in a groove in the opening round in Omaha. Most believed he would at least make it to the second round of the competition.
Georgia Tech's Matt Gonzalez Advances to Final
Georgia Tech infielder Matt Gonzalez didn't win the competition, but the fact that he got to the final was impressive.
The freshman hit just three home runs last season for the Yellow Jackets, but he hit 16 home runs through three rounds at the derby, losing by one to Rice's Michael Aquino.
Gonzalez hit six home runs in the first round, five in the second and five in the final.
Michael Aquino Goes Off to Win Home Run Derby
Michael Aquino hit nine home runs last season for Rice, fourth among all derby competitors, but it was still surprising that he won over favorites Caleb Adams, Bo Thompson (14 home runs) and Joey Pankake (11 home runs).
On top of that, Aquino hit a whopping 20 home runs through three rounds. Down to his last out in the final, he won the derby with a blast.
“Off the bat I wasn't completely sure it was out. All the guys running out to me, I've never had that before. It's awesome,” he told Dylan Garner of the Omaha World-Herald.
Aquino hit six home runs in the first round, eight home runs in the second and six bombs in the final.
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