NL Home Run Derby Team 2013: Breaking Down Prospects of National League Victory

Perhaps one of the greatest pitching duos in Major League Baseball history, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux did a lot of great things for the game of baseball. They also hit the nail on the head in this vintage Nike commercial.

Yes, Greg, chicks do dig the long ball.

Actually, everyone digs the long ball, which is one of the reasons fans flock to the MLB Home Run Derby. All-Star weekend just wouldn’t be the same without a crop of some of the best mashers in baseball doing their best to put a few pitches into the next county.

We’ve seen some monumental performances in the 29-year history of the event, none more captivating than Josh Hamilton’s 35-dinger performance in 2008 as a member of the Texas Rangers.

Hamilton didn’t go on to win that year (Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau took that honor), but he did help boost the American League to a dominating performance it has repeated three times since. The National League hasn’t won a derby since Prince Fielder did it in 2009 as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers (a feat he repeated in a Detroit Tigers uniform last season).

Fielder headlines an impressive American League cast again this season, meaning the NL sluggers chosen by captain David Wright will face an uphill battle to reclaim the crown.

Baseball Tonight tweeted the full rosters for this year’s Home Run Derby after they were chosen—sort of:

The fourth American League selection will be made Tuesday. But even with the final member still up in the air, it’s pretty clear the National League is in for a struggle.

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last few months, you probably know a thing or two about Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis’ power. The 27-year-old has slugged 33 home runs in 319 at-bats this season, many of which still haven’t landed.

If chicks dig the long ball, Davis is the George Clooney of Major League Baseball right now.

Davis’ power surge has been impressive, but he hasn’t been doing it as long as Fielder. The first baseman is tied for 24th in the league with 15 homers this season (not exactly stellar numbers for Fielder), but hitting batting practice from a hand-picked hurler doesn’t exactly compare to live MLB pitching. Power is power.

And of course Robinson Cano has enough power of his own to make a splash after winning the derby in 2011.

None of that is to suggest that the National League can’t win the derby. I’m just not saying it will.

Apart from Carlos Gonzalez and his 24 homers this season, none of the other three NL selections have hit more than 15, with Michael Cuddyer brandishing that total. Wright and Harper have tallied 13 apiece in 2013.

Gonzalez certainly has the pop to take down the AL’s mashers, but I’m not entirely sure the other three are quite ready for the challenge.

All kidding aside, though, the Home Run Derby is always a fun event. Regardless of who wins, fans are going to enjoy the show.

Maddux was only half right: Everyone digs the long ball.