Home Run Derby 2012 Start Time: When and Where to Catch Baseball's Best Sluggers

The 27th edition of MLB's Home Run Derby promises to have fans and casual observers alike on the edge of their seats Monday night. 

The eight participants set to step to home plate at Kauffman Stadium have accounted for more than 150 home runs combined this season. 

The American League will be led by captain Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees.

Cano won the event last year and will look to become just the second repeat champion at the Home Run Derby; Ken Griffey Jr. is the only player to have won back-to-back.

Cano has 20 homers this season and won't be caught off guard by Monday night's mighty stage. 

Meanwhile on the National League side, all eyes will be on Andrew McCutchen, a late fill-in for the injured Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins.

McCutchen has gone yard 18 times this season with the Pirates and has one of the sweetest swings in all of baseball.

McCutchen is just one of four competitors who will be making their first-ever appearance at the Home Run Derby, which means that nerves and poor performances could potentially steal the show on Monday night. 

Prince Fielder (2009 champion) and Robinson Cano (2011 champion) are the only two participants this July who have ever won the Derby, while Matt Kemp and Jose Bautista join them as the only four to have participated in the event. 

With that being said, Home Run Derby newcomers like Mark Trumbo, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Gonzalez will be considered long shots to win this summer's power-hitting extravaganza.  

When: Monday, July 9, 8:00 p.m. ET

Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Watch: ESPN

Live Streaming: MLB.com

Competitors

American League 

Mark Trumbo (LA Angels)

Prince Fielder (Detroit Tigers)

Robinson Cano (NY Yankees)*

Jose Bautista (Toronto Blue Jays)

National League 

Carlos Beltran (St. Louis Cardinals)

Carlos Gonzalez (Colorado Rockies)

Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh Pirates)

Matt Kemp (LA Dodgers)*

*captain

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