2014 Home Run Derby Lineup: Full List of Participants and Preview

Each year, the Home Run Derby is one of the most highly anticipated events leading up to the MLB All-Star Game.

With a great deal of hitting prowess on display from both the NL and AL, the 2014 edition on Monday, July 14 promises to be very enjoyable. However, this year's version of the spectacle will feature some significant changes.

Before the sluggers of the Midsummer Classic take the field, let's review the Home Run Derby's participants and preview what's different this time around.

List of Participants

AL Hitter	Team	2014 Home Run Tally
NL Hitter	Team	2014 Home Run Tally
Jose Bautista	Toronto Blue Jays	17
Yoenis Cespedes	Oakland Athletics	14
Adam Jones	Baltimore Orioles	16
Brian Dozier	Minnesota Twins	16
Josh Donaldson	Oakland Athletics	20
Troy Tulowitzki	Colorado Rockies	20
Yasiel Puig	Los Angeles Dodgers	12
Giancarlo Stanton	Miami Marlins	21
Todd Frazier	Cincinnati Reds	17
Justin Morneau	Colorado Rockies	13

Derby Preview

Matt York/Associated Press

Some significant rule changes will be featured during this year's Home Run Derby.

As the league attempts to increase the event's pace and further tantalize viewers, participants will only be given seven outs per round rather than the previous 10. This will help move the Derby along, but it could hinder the amount of deep shots we see over its duration.

Aside from the decrease of outs per round, the event is also undergoing a bracket-style format.

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Five players from each league will get a chance at the plate during the first round with the top hitters from each side receiving a bye to the third round. The next two players from both sides with face off in the second round with the winners advancing to face the top seeds.

Finally, the winners of the third round—one from the AL and one from the NL—will face off in the finals to determine a champion.

So, with this format in mind, which sluggers have the best shots of advancing through the duration of the 2014 Home Run Derby?

Well, a strong case can be made for Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins.

For one, his 21 home runs this season lead all Derby participants. He's also averaging an improbable 423.76 feet per home run. ESPN Stats and Info tweeted a rather telling statistic regarding his power:

Certainly, NL captain Troy Tulowitzki of the Colorado Rockies can't be counted out either.

He's not quite matching Stanton's power, but he's been very consistent, boasting a league-best .350 batting average while sending 20 balls out of the park.

Here's a great look at Tulowitzki's versatility at the plate:

We're also about to see this swing in action during the Home Run Derby, courtesy of the Los Angeles Dodgers official Twitter account:

It appears as though we may be in store for some patented Yasiel Puig bat flips.

All 10 competitors this year are more than capable of coming away with the title of Home Run Derby champion. That's what makes this event so compelling.

Expect to see some major fireworks at Target Field on Monday.