2010 Home Run Derby Odds: Which Slugger Is Likely To Dominate?

For a one-night event, the Home Run Derby attracts a lot of interest. For that matter, there are many different factors that ultimately affect the outcome of it.

Will there be any new records set in this year's Derby? How many home runs will it take to win it, and who will do so? Will there be another performance reminiscent of Brandon Inge's no-show last year? How will the hitters be able to take advantage of the size and shape of the venue?

For starters, here are some of the dimensions for Angel Stadium of Anaheim: 330 feet to left and right field, 387 feet to left-center, 370 feet to right-center, and 400 feet to straightaway center field.

These are some of the questions that will surround the Home Run Derby in the days prior to it. Based on the strength of the field, dimensions of Angel Stadium of Anaheim, and the experience of the competitors, here are the odds on who will come out on top in the 2010 Home Run Derby.

Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

Miguel Cabrera presents the smoothest swing in the Home Run Derby field. His balanced yet powerful approach to hitting will prove beneficial to his Derby performance. He has driven home runs to every corner of the stadiums he has played in this year and could potentially take advantage of the shorter fences of the Angel Stadium outfield.

He enters this year's Derby currently batting .346 and leading the field with 22 homers.

Having learned from his 15-home run showing in the 2006 Derby, Cabrera knows what it is like to compete in the contest and will comfortably perform as the current home run leader in the field. He may have the best opportunity to win, using his fluid swing to adapt to the ballpark's dimensions and to evenly distribute his strongest swings throughout the event.

Odds: 5:4

David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

Ortiz has the most Home Run Derby experience of all the 2010 competitors. He ranks fifth of the list of most Home Run Derby dingers of all time with 54. It will be clear when he swings that he has already participated in three of these contests in the past. His most notable performance came in 2005 when he finished third with 20 home runs.

Angel Stadium of Anaheim proves to be even hitting territory straight to right or left field, but there is a weak spot in right-center at 370 feet. He has sprayed his 17 home runs to all fields, but he might be able to take advantage of the shorter right-center field fence.

His 17 first-half home runs prove that Ortiz has experienced an offensive revitalization, and he will want to showcase this in the Derby. Expect him to be of serious competition.

Odds: 3:2

Nick Swisher, New York Yankees

Yankee fans are certainly excited to see their beloved Swisher swing for the fences in the 2010 Home Run Derby. It is going to take him some extra strength to power his way to Derby victory.

Eleven of his 14 home runs in 2010 have come from the left-hand side of the plate, so it seems logical that he will approach the contest from that side. Again, he'll have the slight dimensional advantage at hand. More than half of his home runs at home this year have gone to right field.

Whether Swisher will be able to drive the ball through the entire Derby remains to be seen, as he hasn't ever been called to put his power on display. He never has necessarily been regarded as a pure power hitter, but his power spark this year warranted his ticket to the Home Run Derby

Odds: 3:1

Vernon Wells, Toronto Blue Jays

Another man making his Derby debut, Vernon Wells will be taking his 19 home runs of 2010 into the contest. Strictly a pull hitter, Wells should easily attack the left field fences.

Like Angel Stadium, the Rogers Centre, Wells' stomping grounds, possesses a similar distance from home to left field. He has nine home runs in that direction at home.

Like Big Papi, Wells seems to have found some revitalization in his power hitting. On instinct, Wells tends to drive the ball for extra bases so it will be interesting to see if he can drive a ton of souvenirs out of play and win the Home Run Derby. Wells can find himself smacking the ball far if he can get into a nice rhythm. His chances could be pretty good now that he has a reliable swing.

Odds: 2:1

Corey Hart, Milwaukee Brewers

Hart possesses a ton of raw power and can shoot the ball in any direction. He has already put up 20 home runs this year, but it will be all up to him to use his power wisely in the 2010 Home Run Derby.

He is young, and all of this power swinging might get the better of him. Over the past couple years, the Home Run Derby has seen plenty of budding power hitters flop in the early rounds. Evan Longoria, Grady Sizemore, and Dan Uggla all succumbed to the pressure in 2008. Hart's power has drawn some comparisons to that of Uggla, so his first Derby appearance could be lackluster based on history.

He needs to hope that he doesn't experience negative after-effects from the Derby as well.

Odds: 4:1

Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals

In 2007, as a member of the Colorado Rockies, Matt Holliday hit 13 home runs in the Derby. He will look to build on that this year. He isn't on pace to be with the league leaders in home runs this year, but he's a smart hitter and could be the dark horse to win this year's Derby. He has plenty of strength and can crush fastballs like the ones he'll see in the contest.

His power numbers on the year have popped back up, having smacked 15 first half long balls. Like Miguel Cabrera, he is batting over .300 and has a nice balanced swing to work with. His approach to the Derby could reflect his consistent regular season offense. He could definitely hold up through the long haul in the Home Run Derby.

Odds: 2:1

Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins

Many spectators might question Hanley Ramirez in this tournament and assume he could potentially quit mid-round. Just kidding. His 13 home runs in 2010 are very typical for him, but his he has the build of a power hitter and could easily rake in the Home Run Derby.

In all seriousness, Hanley is capable of spraying the ball all over the field with power. Half of his home runs at home this year have gone to straight away center field and right field. Depending on how well he can push the ball to either right-center field or simply pull it over the left field wall, Ramirez should collect his fair share of long balls in the Home Run Derby.

He’ll need to make sure he can evenly distribute his power swing throughout the whole tournament.

Odds: 5:2

Chris Young, Arizona Diamondbacks

Chris Young is really starting to get a hold of his power stroke. His 15 home runs this year are already as many as he collected in all of 2009. He still has to work on his plate discipline, but the strength is definitely there.

His overall approach to hitting and his free swinging nature is the only thing that might hold him back in the contest. Sure he'll be swinging at meatball pitches, but somebody always struggles in the Derby.

Odds: 4:1