MLB Home Run Derby 2017 Participants Announced

The 2017 MLB Home Run Derby will feature plenty of fresh faces. Only Giancarlo Stanton has participated in the Derby before. Earlier today, MLB announced that both MLB home run leader Aaron Judge and teammate Gary Sanchez, will be participating in this year’s contest. Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton will again be participating. Stanton won last year’s contest in impressive fashion, hitting 61 home runs over three rounds. Stanton hit the 10 longest home runs in last year’s Derby, held at San Diego’s Petco Park. This year’s Derby will be held at Marlins Park in Miami on July, 10.

Here are the 2017 MLB Home Run Derby participants:

1. Giancarlo Stanton – Miami Marlins – 25 Home Runs

2. Cody Bellinger – Los Angeles Dodgers – 25 Home Runs

3. Miguel Sano – Minnesota Twins – 21 Home Runs

4. Aaron Judge – New York Yankees – 30 Home Runs

5. Gary Sanchez – New York Yankees – 13 Home Runs (190 At-bats)

6. Justin Bour – Miami Marlins – 20 Home Runs

7. Charlie Blackmon – Colorado Rockies – 20 Home Runs

8. Mike Moustakas – Kansas City Royals – 25 Home Runs

A possible match-up between Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton will be one of the most anticipated aspects of this year’s Derby. Stanton showed what he is capable of in last year’s Derby, and Judge leads MLB in home runs and was the leading vote-getter for the A.L. All-Star team.

2017 Home Run Derby Bracket

1. Giancarlo Stanton vs. 8. Gary Sanchez
2. Aaron Judge vs. 7. Justin Bour
3. Cody Bellinger vs. 6. Charlie Blackmon
4. Mike Moustakas vs. 5. Miguel Sano

One person who will not be competing in this year’s Derby is Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper. CBS Sports reported that Harper has said there is “no chance” that he will be in this year’s contest. Harper will participate in the All-Star Game, and has competed in the Derby twice before. He has already committed to being in the 2018 Home Run Derby, which will be held in Washington, D.C.

Joey Votto also passed on the Home Run Derby this year. Many had thought this would be the year Votto would finally participate. He ranks second in the N.L. with 23 home runs and was selected to the N.L. All-Star Team.

“I was asked by Major League Baseball, and I passed,” said Votto. “I passed because it’s a style of hitting that I never do. I’ve played every game thus far this season, and I’m concerned about two things. I’m concerned about potentially getting injured, and I’m concerned about not being able to do my very best if I can sense injury.”

Here’s a look back at Stanton’s 2016 record-breaking performance:

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