Home Run Derby 2012: Breaking Down Top Contenders for Monday's Event

If chicks really do dig the long ball, then all you ladies out there are in for a treat during the 2012 MLB Home Run Derby.

Eight of the best sluggers in the game will battle for power-hitting supremacy on Monday, with four players representing each league.

While every contestant is proficient with the bat, there are three men who will separate themselves from the rest of the field. Keep your eye on the following batters in Kansas City.

Jose Bautista: Toronto Blue Jays

As the MLB's top home run hitter this season, Bautista will definitely be a threat to win it all on Monday.

He's jacked 27 homers in 300 at bats thus far, while carrying Toronto to a 42-40 record. If he can continue his success in Kansas City, he will give the American League a great shot at winning, while also potentially taking home the top individual honors.

Of course, Bautista will have to improve on his performance in last year's derby, when he hit just four home runs before being eliminated. If he has learned from that experience, he should do much better this time around.

Robinson Cano: New York Yankees

The Yankees powerful second baseman has ripped off 20 home runs in 316 at bats this season, placing him in a four-way tie for eighth place in the majors.

He's also the defending champion at the event, so he should have plenty of confidence going in. Cano won the 2011 Derby by cranking 32 homers, including 12 in the finals against Adrian Gonzalez.

We haven't seen a player win consecutive Derby titles since Ken Griffey Jr. did it in 1998 and 1999. With some solid fundamentals and a little luck, though, Cano could definitely pull it off.

Prince Fielder: Detroit Tigers

Fielder only has 12 home runs in 83 games this season, but as he proved in 2009, he's always capable of winning this event.

Fielder smashed 23 homers that year, and after not competing in 2010 and hitting just nine home runs in last year's edition, he should be determined to get back on top.

He will likely be the biggest threat to Cano's repeat, and if he gets hot, he'll snatch the crown from his AL teammate.