We are just one week away from the Home Run Derby, the biggest spectacle Major League Baseball has in terms of showcasing individual talent in exhibition form. As I do every year, I'll now put together a field of eight that would be my ideal Home Run Derby. Now, this isn't "anything goes" because I'm trying to operate at least somewhat within the realm of reality.
That is to say, injured players will not be picked. Kyle Schwarber , Bryce Harper , Royce Lewis , Fernando Tatis Jr. and, yes, Mike Trout would've been considered, but injuries have taken them off the table.
If a player has declined an invitation, that does NOT take him off the table here. I'm operating under the assumption that -- while I cannot heal injuries -- I could convince any healthy player I wanted to take part. A major consideration for me is the location of the event.
Having a "home" player always makes the event so much more fun -- picture Todd Frazier winning in Cincinnati or Bryce Harper winning in D.C. as just two great examples.
Regular-season performance certainly factors in to the decision-making process, but putting on a show can overcome this consideration. As an example, Vladimir Guerrero , Jr. only had eight home runs when he was chosen for the 2019 Derby and he stole the show, even though he didn't win it.
As things stand, only Gunnar Henderson of the Orioles and Alec Bohm of the Phillies are in the Derby field, but I'm not required to pick them in my ideal field. One of them does make it, but.
