After David Wright and Robinson Cano announced their Home Run Derby teams last night, I was about to post on it, but held off. I was hoping that Wright would explain his rationale in selecting his team and was happy to see that he did.
The more I looked at Wright’s choices, the more I wondered what he possibly was thinking about his decision to go with Bryce Harper and Michael Cuddyer over some other more worthy candidates that included Domonic Brown, Paul Goldschmidt, Pedro Alvarez and Carlos Beltran.
Here are the top five home run leaders in the National League:
Harper has 13 home runs this season and Cuddyer has 15 longballs. Cuddyer has averaged 16 home runs over the three year period entering this season. Nine of his home runs in 2013 have come at Coors Field where he has a 1.069 OPS compared to .885 on the road.
As one of the designated captains, Wright was free to choose whomever he wanted and here is what he had to say to reporters on his selections before the game.
“I’m sure there’s a lot of people that are disappointed,” Wright said. “I did it as easy as I knew possible.”
“I took the National League home run leader. I took the guy that won the fan poll — the guy who the fans really wanted to see in the Home Run Derby. So you have CarGo and Bryce Harper. And that left me with the the friend I grew up with Michael. I think that he’s one of the more underrated players in the game. And, obviously, the friendship had something to do with it”
“I really am sorry. Carlos Beltran, Domonic Brown, Goldschmidt, Votto, and Alvarez were all in the original list that I had, I had all of those guys. It’s a lot tougher than you would think it is. And you don’t want to leave anybody out. And there’s obviously guys that I left out. I apologize for that. Some people had to get left out.”
Honestly, I’ve never been a big Home Run Derby guy. I think the last time I watched the entire event was in 2006. Usually, I just watch the first round before I get bored and pick up the remote. I mean how many times can you hear Chris Berman say, “Back, back, back, back, back, back, GONE!”
This year, I plan to tune in and catch as much as I can for as far as David Wight goes…
NL Home Run Derby Team
- 13 HR – David Wright, Mets
- 24 HR – Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
- 15 HR – Michael Cuddyer, Rockies
- 13 HR – Bryce Harper, Nationals
AL Home Run Derby Team
- 20 HR – Robinson Cano, Yankees
- 15 HR – Prince Fielder, Tigers
- 33 HR – Chris Davis, Orioles
- To Be Determined (As usual, a Yankee creating drama)
Even without the fourth player named as of yet, the American League has a 68 to 65 home run advantage.
The Home Run Derby will take place on July 15 at Citi Field as part of the 2013 All Star Game festivities.
