As of now, another rookie sensation is set to join the T-Mobile Home Run Derby next Monday. Aaron Judge of the Yankees posted a video on the Yankees Twitter account saying that he was going to join the home run derby. In the video he showed teammate Gary Sanchez who will be joining him in participating.
Yankees duo will add hype
Judge has been on a tear all season. He leads the majors with 27 home runs. He has a chance to break Mark McGwire's rookie home run record set in 1987 when he hit 49 home runs with the Oakland Athletics. Judge also holds the record for the modern day era for the longest home run in history with a 495-foot bomb.
Judge will be an instant favorite to win, and a fan favorite while he performs.
Sanchez has been on a roll since his biceps strain. Out of his 13 home runs, he has hit nine of them in June. Sanchez has the second-most home runs by a catcher. Kansas City Royal Salvador Perez leads that category with 15 home runs. It will be the first career appearance for both players.
Five total participants
Judge and Sanchez will add to the pot of participants. Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins, Cody Bellinger of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Miguel Sano of the Minnesota Twins have all confirmed they will participate.
Stanton returns to defend his crown. He looks to be the third ever player to repeat as a derby champion.
Bellinger is a sensational rookie that leads the National League in home runs with 24. Bellinger went on a streak of ten straight games of hitting a home run. Sano has been a focal part of the Twins offense and has 18 home runs on the year.
No way Harper participates
Bryce Harper was asked if he would participate in the home run derby during an ESPN postgame interview, and he said there was "no chance" he would.
Harper has 20 home runs this season, so it is a shame that he will not enter the contest for the third time. However, the home run derby will be in D.C. next season, so it's worth noting that there's a chance he will return then.
Rizzo should participate
Anthony Rizzo was snubbed from the 88th MLB All-Star Game rosters on Sunday, so to make up for it, he should get an invite to participate.
Rizzo has been in the derby before. Rizzo has 19 home runs on the year, so it's not like he is not qualified. He has four leadoff home runs this season.
Joey Gallo and Carlos Correa have declined their invites to be in the derby. We haven't heard any word on Marcell Ozuna, Joey Votto, or Jay Bruce. Rizzo would be a fine choice to participate.
