Home Run Derby Format 2017: Complete Bracket and TV Info for Monday's Event

On paper, this year's MLB Home Run Derby should be one of the most fascinating in years. Rookie superstar sluggers Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger will duke it out with some of the best power hitters in the game, including defending Home Run Derby champion and hometown favorite Giancarlo Stanton.

The Derby will take place on Monday, July 10 at 8 p.m. ET at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida. ESPN will televise the contest.

Here is a look at the bracket and format for this year's event, along with some predictions.

Bracket

Format

Per Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com, eight players will face off in a tournament. Stanton receives the top seed by virtue of winning last year's contest, and the remaining seven players were ranked based on their home run totals through games on Wednesday, July 5.

Each contestant will receive four minutes to hit as many home runs as possible. Players will get a 30-second bonus if they are able to hit at least two dingers measuring at least 440 feet each.

Participants are also given the option to have a 45-second timeout at any time during the first round and semifinals before returning to the batter's box. In the finals, players can take a 30-second break in addition to their 45-second breather.

If there is a tie following a round, the participants will be given 60 more seconds of bonus time.

Predictions

Although this Home Run Derby field is one of the most powerful in years, don't expect a ton of fireworks.

Marlins Park is one of the more difficult hitter's ballparks in the league. It routinely ranks in the bottom third of the league in home run factor, per ESPN. This year, Marlins Park is 23rd out of 30 parks, and just four years ago, it was dead last.

A look at the Marlins Park dimensions, per Andrew Perpetua of FanGraphs, showcases some deep foul lines and cavernous alleys.

Given this fact, coupled with the 30-second bonus given to players who hit at least two 440-foot home runs, the edge goes to players who can smash long dingers.

A look at the ESPN Home Run Tracker reveals the players who have been smashing the ball this year by measuring a player's average true home run distance. One might think that Judge would be leading the way there, but that would be Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Kendrys Morales.

Out of the Home Run Derby participants, New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez leads the way at 420.9 feet. Judge is second at 415.4 feet. Miami Marlins first baseman Justin Bour and Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas bring up the rear at 398.8 and 398.1 feet, respectively.

Take Judge, Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano and Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon to advance to the second round, with Stanton using the raucous home fans to nudge Sanchez in a fantastic first-round matchup.

In the semis, Stanton and Judge will advance, leading to a classic duel that fans will love to see.

In the end, Judge, who has made a habit of smacking home runs over 500 feet in batting practice, will win his first Home Run Derby.