Logan Morrison Criticizes Gary Sanchez Being Invited to 2017 Home Run Derby

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Logan Morrison criticized MLB's decision to invite New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez to participate in the 2017 Home Run Derby, saying he was disappointed at the selection.

"Gary shouldn't be there," Morrison said Tuesday, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. "Gary's a great player, but he shouldn't be in the Home Run Derby." 

Morrison, 29, is currently tied for second in the majors with 24 home runs. He hit 10 home runs in the month of May alone.

"I'm not disappointed. It's par for the course. I play for the Rays. I get it," Morrison said. "They can't even get my picture right. When they put my name up there they put Corey (Dickerson's) picture up there ... on MLB Network. When they put up the home run leaders they put Corey's swing on there not mine."

Sanchez, Yankees teammate Aaron Judge, Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas and Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano were selected for the AL derby roster. Judge leads MLB with 27 home runs, while Moustakas (23), Sano (20) and Sanchez (13) are all behind Morrison.

"I remember when I had 14 home runs,'' Morrison said. "That was a month and a half ago."

Morrison is also one of five players who are on the ballot to earn the American League's final All-Star selection. Sano, Judge and Sanchez are already All-Star selections. Moustakas is also one of the five finalists with Morrison for the final fan vote.