Orioles' Adley Rutschman Joins Mookie Betts, More In 2023 MLB Home Run Derby Field

The field for the Home Run Derby is rounding out nicely.

Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman is the latest entry, joining two-time champion Pete Alonso, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts and the trio of Julio Rodríguez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Randy Arozarena.

Rutschman, 25, is having a strong year at the plate in just his second season, hitting .268 with 11 homers, 35 RBI, 38 runs and a .789 OPS. It's strong production from the catcher position, earning him a place in this year's All-Star Game as a reserve selection.

"Being an All-Star is an unbelievable honor," he told reporters Sunday. "The fact that it's in the northwest at [T-Mobile Park], the first big league stadium I ever went to, means a lot as well. It's definitely a blessing to be in this position right now."

He's gunning to become the first catcher in MLB history to win the Home Run Derby.

There's no doubt that Alonso will be the favorite, however, after confirming his place in this year's event.

"You can count me in, guys," he said during this weekend's Sunday Night Baseball broadcast. "... I'm super stoked to do it. It's a super-talented field. It's gonna be great competition. I think this one's gonna be one to remember."

The 28-year-old remains one of the game's most consistent sluggers, hitting .221 with 25 homers, 58 RBI, 48 runs and a .835 OPS this season.

He has the most home runs this year among the current participants. Just behind him is Betts (22), followed by Arozarena (16), Rodríguez (13) and Guerrero (12).

Among the current group of Derby entries, Rodríguez is the biggest threat to Alonso. He knocked him out of the competition last year and hit the most total homers (81) in his first participation, though he narrowly lost in the final to Juan Soto (19-18).

"That was so fun. That was so, so fun. I can definitely say that my family enjoyed it the most," Rodríguez told reporters when he announced he'd be joining the Derby for the second straight year. "They've been with me since I was a little kid. Being able to see me back there [at home] taking BP and then seeing me do it in front of 40,000 people, I know they definitely enjoyed it the most."

Rodríguez is the only current participant who hasn't been named to the All-Star team, though it's possible he could named as an injury replacement ahead of the July 11 Midsummer Classic.

It remains unclear if Soto will defend his crown, meanwhile, though he was named to the NL All-Star team as a reserve.