Home Run Derby field is set with an Absence of Regulars, But Powerful New Faces

The field is set, eight big name boppers will be bringing their big bats to this years All-Star Game Home Run Derby.

This season's fireworks show takes place for the last time at Yankee Stadium, home to numerous Hall of Famer sluggers from Ruth to Mantle and now today where Alex Rodriguez chases the Home Run record, whether it be held by Aaron or Bonds.

Yankee Stadium is designed that all the left-handed sluggers should be salivated before taking their pitches.  Down the right-field line the foul pole is only 314 ft. and jumps up to only 385 ft. in right-center field.  To dead center Yankee Stadium plays 408 ft. and loops back to 399 ft. and then drops back to 318 ft. to the left-field foul pole.

The American League Derby lineup consists of Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers), Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay Rays), Grady Sizemore (Cleveland Indians), and Justin Morneau (Minnesota Twins).

The National League Derby lineup consists of Chase Utley (Philadelphia Phillies), Dan Uggla (Florida Marlins), Lance Berkman (Houston Astros), and Ryan Braun (Milwaukee Brewers).

This season the Derby seems a little light on the big name sluggers around baseball without Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Ryan Howard, Jim Thome, Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez, Jason Giambi, Vladimir Guerrero, Adam Dunn, MIguel Tejada, Pat Burrell, Carlos Lee, Prince Fielder, and Mark Teixeira.

Even without these big name sluggers in the Derby this year, it will still be a firework type show with the short right-field and some young faces of baseball's future.

Without knowing the order of who is hitting when during the Derby, I'm still going to make my Home Run Derby predictions:

FIRST ROUND

Josh Hamilton, L- The Texas Rangers slugger is the best story in baseball this season and after personally witnessing this guy hit in batting practice twice this season, the entire nation is about to be rewarded with one hell of a show when he takes his turn.  Hamilton known for his World leading 95 RBI, also currently has 21 dingers.  10 Home Runs.

Evan Longoria, R - The Tampa Bay Rays' candidate for the AL Rookie of the Year was the 32nd player selected to this year's AL All-Star team, when he was voted in by the fans.  He has 16 home runs on the season, but being right-handed will put him at a little bit of a disadvantage against his left-handed counterparts.  6 Home Runs.

Grady Sizemore, L - The Cleveland Indians' heart-throb is currently leading the AL in home runs with 23.  By his standards this has been a down year for Grady's hitting and extra-base knocks, but an up-year for his home runs.  Being a lefty and AL home run leader both are a plus for Sizemore going into the Derby.  7 Home Runs

Justin Morneau, L - The Minnesota Twins' former MVP is returning to action in the Home Run Derby.  He has only 14 home runs this season, but is batting .323 again and has 68 RBI, both are good for second in the AL, trailing Ranger sluggers in both categories.  5 Home Runs

Chase Utley, L - The Philadelphia Phillies' Mr. Everything in the field and at the plate, represents the Phillies even though he trails teammate Ryan Howard by three home runs.  Utley has incredible power and will be able to showcase it at Yankee Stadium.  11 Home Runs

Dan Uggla, R- The Florida Marlins' power-hitting second baseman would like to inflict some revenge to fellow slugger Chase Utley.  If not for the season that Utley is having, Uggla would be the starting second baseman.  He currently has 23 home runs, a number that would be closer to 26 or 27 if he had not been injuried the past couple weeks.  7 Home Runs

Lance Berkman, L - The Houston Astros' Big Puma was a legit Triple Crown contender earlier in the season, but has fallen off in all categories.  Still Lance comes into the All-Star Game with 22 home runs and a potential MVP candidate if not for the difficulties of the Astros' team.  8 Home Runs

Ryan Braun, R- The Milwaukee Brewers' young slugger made the move from third to left field this season and earned the most votes out of any NL outfielder for the All-Star Game.  Handicapped only by being a right-handed hitter, should still see some man-sized shots from Braun.  9 Home Runs

SECOND ROUND

Lance Berkman, L - Big Puma gets into the second round, but similar to his team struggles in quantity, but not quality.  5 Home Runs

Ryan Braun, R - More of his man-sized shots, but again is handicapped by being right-handed.  4 Home Runs

Josh Hamilton, L - The human highlight reel will again bring his fireworks and give the Yankee crowd a spectacular show.  13 Home Runs

Chase Utley, L - After leading the first round, Utley's numbers will suffer a little bit, but not enough to keep him down.  6 Home Runs

FINAL ROUND

Chase Utley, L - Getting into the final round on his last out, Utley showing some fatigue will rally to win the Derby.  6 Home Runs

Josh Hamilton, L - After giving the crowd the best show in the second round, Hamilton will suffer from too much excitement and fatigue sets in, but look for him to hit the longest home run of the entire Derby in this round.  4 Home Runs