2011 MLB Home Run Derby: Sizing Up the Top Sluggers in the Midsummer Slugfest

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This year’s beloved Home Run Derby is a bit different. The 2011 version will see the American League and National League slug it out for long ball supremacy. In an year where we see the NBA and NFL lockout its players, MLB has decided to unify its best sluggers in each league to duel each other in prime time.

The Home Run Derby is unlike any other sporting event. The precision timing and power displayed by our favorite and most hated sluggers in the game today is a sight for sore eyes. It leaves us all mesmerized and trying to pick up our jaw’s from off the floor. The sound of the ball cracking against the bat is out of this world.

With four of the top power hitters in the game set to stand side by side with bats in hand ready to take down four interleague rivals, it is time to size up our 2011 HR derby participants.

2011 Stats:

American League:

David Ortiz, DH, BOS ©

17 HR, 49 RBI, .302 AVG, .565 SLG, 86 H, 22 2B, 1 3B

Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, BOS

16 HR, 75 RBI, .348 AVG, .583 SLG, 121 H, 28 2B, 3 3B

Jose Bautista, OF, TOR

28 HR, 58 RBI, .331 AVG, .687 SLG, 93 H, 14 2B, 1 3B

Robinson Cano, 2B, NYY

14 HR, 55 RBI, .295 AVG, .520 SLG, 96 H, 21 2B, 5 3B

AL Sluggers’ Total

75 HR, 237 RBI, .319 AVG, .589 SLG, 396 H, 85 2B, 10 3B

National League:

Prince Fielder, 1B, MIL ©

22 HR, 71 RBI, .302 AVG, .590 SLG, 92 H, 20 2B, 1 3B

Rickie Weeks, 2B, MIL

15 HR, 34 RBI, .274 AVG, .471 SLG, 96 H, 20 2B, 2 3B

Matt Holliday, OF, STL

12 HR, 44 RBI, .320 AVG, .562 SLG, 70 H, 17 2B, 0 3B

Matt Kemp, OF, LAD

22 HR, 64 RBI, .325 AVG, .608 SLG, 101 H, 18 2B, 2 3B

NL Sluggers’ Total

71 HR, 213 RBI, .305 AVG, .558 SLG, 359 H, 75 2B, 5 3B

Both teams are fairly even, but the AL Sluggers have the advantage across the board when looking at the statistics. Ortiz’ squad is clearly the favorite heading into the slugfest. It’s no coincidence that the tough and competitive East division is representing the entire American League.

Fielder made an odd choice to grab Holliday and clearly chose the wrong teammate as Ryan Braun would have been the superior Brewer to bring along. I understand the decision to bring along your buddy and give him exposure, but this is about winning and putting on the best show possible.

Next week, expect the balls to be jumping off the bats of the AL sluggers. They’ll be flying out of the ball park with more power, accuracy and consistency than those of the NL sluggers.

-Brandon Galvin is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist and Syndicated Writer

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