2012 MLB Home Run Derby Participants: Power Ranking Favorites to Win Event

Robinson Cano isn't going to give up his Home Run Derby crown without a fight, and he is going to have plenty of fighting to do against this loaded field. 

When these guys take to the plate Monday night at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri the sky is going to be filled with baseballs flying like rockets. 

Let's first take a look at strong field of participants, and then we'll get into power ranking the favorites. 

American League

Robinson Cano, Yankees (captain); Mark Trumbo, Angels; Prince Fielder, Tigers; Jose Bautista, Blue Jays.

National League

Matt Kemp, Dodgers (captain); Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies; Carlos Beltran, Cardinals; Andrew McCutchen, Pirates.

Power Ranking

No. 4: Carlos Beltran

At 35, Beltran is the oldest competitor in this field. That will certainly work against him as stamina becomes an issue as these guys repeatedly swing from their heels. 

It isn't all about disadvantages for Beltran, though. For six-plus seasons Beltran called Kauffman Stadium home. 

He should be comfortable hitting at this plate, and his swing has been in a groove all year. He is hitting .296 and has 20 home runs. 

No. 3: Mark Trumbo

Trumbo is certainly not one of the more well-known hitters in this field, but he is definitely one of the best power hitters in the game. Seventeen of his 22 home runs have traveled over 400 feet. When he gets anywhere near a hold of the ball, it is leaving in a hurry. 

Trumbo is custom-made for this event. He can sit back, wait for his pitch, and worry about doing nothing but unloading on it. 

The biggest concern with his chances of winning this event are that he will get too caught up in trying to hit one to the moon and waste too much energy in the process. 

No. 2: Prince Fielder

Prince Fielder was born to hit home runs. He is huge, and he swings with enough force to make Paul Bunyan jealous. 

So it is no surprise that Fielder is a veteran of this competition and claimed the title in 2009. 

Prince is a little off his typical pace with just 15 homers so far this season, but he is playing his first year in the spacious Comerica Park. He should be itching to watch some blasts sail over the fences in this competition. 

No. 1: Robinson Cano

Last year, I didn't give Cano much of a chance in this competition. I just didn't see his pure swing as being a nice fit for a home run contest, and it seemed reasonable to expect him to nail too many line drives that didn't leave the park. 

That was foolish. Cano's sweet swing consistently puts nice loft on the ball, and that was amplified when he could swing from his heels. 

More than any other hitter in the field, Cano's homers appear effortless. This serves him well as players start to fatigue. He is going to be tough to beat Monday night.