Home Run Derby 2012: Ryan Braun and Biggest Derby Snubs

Who let Robinson Cano and Matt Kemp be team captains?

The American League and National League Home Run Derby teams are set. Cano chose Jose Bautista, Prince Fielder and Mark Trumbo to represent the AL and Kemp picked Carlos Beltran, Carlos Gonzalez and Giancarlo Stanton to rep the NL.

Each captain made mistakes when picking their crew. Here are the home run hitters that were snubbed from the derby.

3. Ryan Braun

According to Frank F. Pellegrino of the Wisconsin State Journal, when Braun was asked if Kemp extended an invitation to the derby he responded, “I’m just excited to watch it.” Translation: nope.

No one in the NL has hit more home runs than Ryan Braun this season. He’s recorded 22 bombs this year—that’s two more than Beltran, three more than Stanton and five more than Gonzalez.

2. Curtis Granderson

Brian Hoch and Steve Miller of MLB.com reported that Curtis Granderson—Cano’s own teammate—admitted that he wouldn’t pass on an opportunity to participate in the Home Run Derby.

"

I'll do it; I've got no problem with it. I know I won't do [well], so if anyone's betting, don't pick me. That's for sure. I'll definitely try it. As long as I hit one, I'll be happy. I just don't want to go out of there with a zero, and there's a good chance that'll happen.

"

Apparently Cano took Granderson’s humility too seriously. He’s fourth in the MLB in homers with 23. Comparatively, Prince Fielder has 12.

1. Adam Dunn

Adam Dunn has literally twice as many home runs as Fielder this season. His 24 long balls are good for third in the majors, but apparently his totals didn’t impress Cano enough for an invite.

While Cano obviously made the right choice by selecting Bautista (Trumbo was a solid selection too), no matter how Fielder fares in the derby, there were 23 AL batters who hit more homers than him this season. He wasn’t deserving.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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