Home Run Derby 2015 Contestants: Grading Each Slugger's Inclusion
The 2015 MLB All-Star Game is now right around the corner, and after the league revealed rosters Sunday and Monday, it announced the eight-man field for this year's Home Run Derby on Wednesday night.
On the American League side, a pair of seasoned veterans in Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder and Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols headline the field. Joining them will be Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson and Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado.
Over in the National League, it's a pair of Chicago Cubs teammates in Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson and the hometown selection, Todd Frazier from the Cincinnati Reds.
Adding to the excitement this season is a new bracketed, single-elimination format with timed rounds. For full details, take a look at this tweet from MLB Communications.
We'll have to wait until Monday to see how the Derby plays out, but for now let's grade each slugger's inclusion in the field based on fan appeal and other options that may have been available.
AL: Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles
1 of 8
Size: 6'3", 185 pounds
Bats: Right-handed
Career Home Run Total: 52
2015 Home Run Total: 19
Longest 2015 Home Run: 422 feet (video)
Average 2015 HR Distance: 388.6 feet
Average 2015 HR Velocity: 102.0 mph
Previous Home Run Derby Experience: None
Overview
Manny Machado often takes a backseat to guys like Bryce Harper and Mike Trout in terms of hype, so it's easy to forget he's still just 23 years old and a legitimate budding superstar.
A pair of freak knee injuries derailed his development a bit, but he's putting it all together at the plate this season. His 19 home runs already represent a career high.
His emergence at the plate has gone a long way in helping the Orioles replace the production that departed when Nelson Cruz left for Seattle.
Grade: C
Knowing that Jose Bautista probably said no due to his shoulder and Nelson Cruz already said no a week ago, the field for AL candidates was growing relatively thin. Machado isn't a terrible choice, but I'd much rather see J.D. Martinez in this spot.
AL: Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays
2 of 8
Size: 6'0", 220 pounds
Bats: Right-handed
Career Home Run Total: 84
2015 Home Run Total: 21
Longest 2015 Home Run: 469 feet (video)
Average 2015 HR Distance: 408.1 feet
Average 2015 HR Velocity: 105.2 mph
Previous Home Run Derby Experience: 2014
Overview
Traded to the Toronto Blue Jays during the offseason, Josh Donaldson has not missed a beat as he continues to make a compelling case for being the best all-around third baseman in the league.
He had a career-high 29 home runs last season, and he should be able to shoot past that total this season if he can stay healthy and productive in the middle of the best offense in baseball.
This will be his second Derby go-around, and he'll look to improve on last year's performance when he was eliminated in the first round with a total of three home runs.
Grade: B
Considering Donaldson just received the most All-Star Game votes of all time, this is certainly giving the fans what they want. Personally, I'd rather it be a healthy Jose Bautista representing the Blue Jays, but alas, his bum shoulder keeps him out of the field.
AL: Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels
3 of 8
Size: 6'3", 230 pounds
Bats: Right-handed
Career Home Run Total: 546
2015 Home Run Total: 26
Longest 2015 Home Run: 438 feet (video)
Average 2015 HR Distance: 399.6 feet
Average 2015 HR Velocity: 104.3 mph
Previous Home Run Derby Experience: 2003, 2007, 2009
Overview
Albert Pujols was the first participant to announce that he'd be a part of this year's Home Run Derby, and he'll be participating in the event for the first time since 2009.
Pujols has never won a Derby, but he did finish second to Garret Anderson back in 2003. He actually hit more home runs than Anderson overall (26 to 23) that year, but he was edged out in the final round (9 to 8).
He's one of the greatest hitters the game has ever seen, and he is in the middle of a fantastic bounce-back season after posting relatively disappointing numbers during his first three years in an Angels uniform.
Grade: B
I have no qualms with having Pujols in the event. He's having a great season and is a living legend. That said, I have a feeling Mike Trout said no this time around because he didn't want to compete against his teammate. Potentially playing even a minor role in keeping Trout out of the event is enough for me to bump this grade down to a "B".
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AL: Prince Fielder, Texas Rangers
4 of 8
Size: 5'11", 275 pounds
Bats: Left-handed
Career Home Run Total: 301
2015 Home Run Total: 13
Longest 2015 Home Run: 449 feet (video)
Average 2015 HR Distance: 411.1 feet
Average 2015 HR Velocity: 103.8
Previous Home Run Derby Experience: 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013
Overview
The seasoned veteran of the field with five Home Run Derby appearances and two wins, Prince Fielder will look to keep his impressive comeback season going by adding a third title to his resume.
His 13 home runs are the lowest total among the four AL selections, but his swing and overall raw power are still made for this competition. He should do just fine.
Regular-season stats don't carry much weight in an exhibition like this, but it is worth nothing that he's hit plenty of balls out of Great American Ball Park over the years with 12 career home runs there. That's the second-most of any stadium he's not personally called home at one point or another.
Grade: A
With so many young guys in the field, I like the idea of bringing back a previous winner and grizzled veteran to potentially show the youngsters that this whole exercise is not quite as easy as it looks. Add in the comeback story, and he's a terrific addition to the event.
NL: Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs
5 of 8
Size: 6'3", 240 pounds
Bats: Left-handed
Career Home Run Total: 87
2015 Home Run Total: 16
Longest 2015 Home Run: 441 feet (video)
Average 2015 HR Distance: 402.1 feet
Average 2015 HR Velocity: 104.0 mph
Previous Home Run Derby Experience: None
Overview
After a relatively disappointing first full season in the majors in 2013, Rizzo exploded last season, improving his on-base plus slugging by 171 points (.742 to .913) and finishing second in the National League with 32 home runs.
Despite being just 25 years old, he's emerged as the clear leader of a young and talented Chicago Cubs team on the rise.
He has six career home runs in Great American Ball Park, tied with Miller Park for the most of any road stadium in his brief career, so he's plenty familiar with the venue.
Grade: B
As a Cubs fan, I absolutely love seeing two Cubs in the event. But from an unbiased standpoint, it might have been better to get an eighth team represented. Perhaps someone like Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt or Justin Upton?
NL: Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs
6 of 8
Size: 6'5", 215 pounds
Bats: Right-handed
Career Home Run Total: 12
2015 Home Run Total: 12
Longest 2015 Home Run: 463 feet (video)
Average 2015 HR Distance: 406.9 feet
Average 2015 HR Velocity: 104.6 mph
Previous Home Run Derby Experience: None
Overview
Since his three-strikeout debut, Kris Bryant has settled in nicely as a productive big league regular. At this point, the 23-year-old is really only scratching the surface of his vast potential.
His 12 home runs are the lowest total of any participant in the event, but his raw power stacks up to anyone in the league right now, so he'll be a big upset pick as the No. 8 seed in the new format.
Bryant won the Double-A Home Run Derby last season, and he's been in plenty of these events as a prep star, so don't expect the stage to be too big for him.
Grade: A+
With Bryce Harper, Giancarlo Stanton and Mike Trout all out of the event, Bryant is probably the most exciting name in the field from a mass-appeal standpoint. He was the talk of baseball heading into the year, and there will be plenty of fans and analysts talking about him Monday.
NL: Joc Pederson, Los Angeles Dodgers
7 of 8
Size: 6'1", 215 pounds
Bats: Left-handed
Career Home Run Total: 20
2015 Home Run Total: 20
Longest 2015 Home Run: 480 feet (video)
Average 2015 HR Distance: 430.5 feet
Average 2015 HR Velocity: 106.9 mph
Previous Home Run Derby Experience: None
Overview
Not only does Joc Pederson lead all rookies with 20 home runs, he also leads all of baseball with an average distance of 430.5 feet on those long balls. That's a pretty strong case for participating in the derby right there.
"I think that's the only reason I was picked for the All-Star team because I have some homers. I think it would be really fun," Pederson told Eric Stephen of True Blue LA.
An .865 OPS and 2.8 WAR may have also contributed a bit to Pederson earning a place on the NL roster, but all we're concerned with here is home runs, and he's hit plenty of them.
Grade: A+
The battle between Pederson and Kris Bryant for NL Rookie of the Year honors will be one of the more compelling storylines to watch in the second half, so matching them up in the Derby only makes sense. Fans love rookies. And rookies love showing off in events like this, so he's a great addition.
NL: Todd Frazier, Cincinnati Reds
8 of 8
Size: 6'3", 220 pounds
Bats: Right-handed
Career Home Run Total: 98
2015 Home Run Total: 25
Longest 2015 Home Run: 428 feet (video)
Average 2015 HR Distance: 398.4 feet
Average 2015 HR Velocity: 103.3 mph
Previous Home Run Derby Experience: 2014
Overview
Todd Frazier reached the finals in last year's Derby, but he ran out of gas with just one blast in the final round, so he'll be looking for some redemption in front of the home fans.
He had 29 home runs during a breakout season last year, and he should have no problem blowing past that total this season. He's now established himself as one of the most dangerous hitters in the NL.
Frazier has a 1.117 OPS and 15 home runs at Great American Ball Park, compared to a .754 OPS and 10 home runs on the road. Those splits might be a bit concerning from an overall standpoint, but they bode well for this event.
Grade: A+
A no-brainer. You have to get the hometown guy in the event. Enough said.
All standard statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference. Home run specific stats come from ESPN's Home Run Tracker.
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