Pete Alonso won the Home Run Derby for the second year in a row. There is a 0:28 The MLB All-Star Home Run Derby is just around the corner. The most anticipated event of the summer is headed to Hollywood, with some of the biggest names in the sport set to take aim at the Dodger Stadium bleachers. On ABC. With the first participant in this summer's eight-player field unveiled Monday, it's clear that everyone will be trying to keep up with Pete Alonso. The Home Run Derby brackets will be announced on Thursday at 7 pm. We will break down each player's case for taking the belt from "Polar Bear" Pete Alonso, Ronald Acuna Jr., Albert Pujols and Kyle Schwarber were announced. There is a Derby pick'em on the internet. He's the home run king because he's participated in two All-Star Home Run Derbys, and twice won a $1 million prize for his efforts. Alonso blasted a total of 57 long balls in the Cleveland derby in the middle of the year. Alonso hit 74 home runs, including 20 that traveled at least 475 feet, when the event came back in 2021. Alonso thinks he's the best power hitter on the planet. It's a dream come true for me to showcase that and put on a fun display for fans. My parents allowed me to stay up late to watch this. It's clear that all those nights watching paid off for the Mets player. Alonso is the only two-time champion in derby history. The longest home run was 464 feet. He could take down Alonso because there isn't another player in this year's field who competes with as much flair as Acuna does. While Acuna is known for his all-around skills and Alonso more for his slugging alone, their career home run totals show that the difference in power isn't as large as you might think. Acuna hit 113 HRs. Alonso had over 500 games of HRs. The All-Star Game in Los Angeles is just around the corner. Is your favorite star headed to Hollywood? Full coverage »
Surprises and snubs.
ESPN's All-Star picks »Pete Alonso
Ronald Acuna Jr.
After coming back earlier this season from an injured knee, Acuna's power stroke has been the last part of his game to return. He has hit just eight homers in 53 games, after hitting 24 long balls in 81 games before his season ended.
Acuna eliminated Josh Bell in the first round but fell to Pete Alonso in the semifinals of the Home Run Derby. Acuna and Alonso both hit home runs in the round.
It's been a long time since Pujols peaked, but he still has the power to do damage, and his swing late in his career has been more fly ball focused. He will be the sentimental favorite, and the crowd may root for him to hit more home runs.
It's been a long time since Pujols peaked. He will have the least homers for a player entering the contest if he stays at five. Barry Bonds was 39 years old when he participated in 2004. It's hard to imagine Pujols winning three rounds. Young guys get tired after a round or two, and Pujols is 42.
Pujols will be the seventh player in Home Run Derby history to make at least five appearances.
Home runs in the year 2017: 17
He wanted to take down Alonso. A lot of young players are one-and-done in the Home Run Derby, but that's not the case with catchers. He defeated Shohei Ohtani 31-28 in an overtime match a year ago, but lost 16-15 to Alonso in the semifinals. He would like to get revenge.
The 16-15 loss to Alonso was not as close as it seems. He was tired after his big first round. Alonso would have destroyed him if he had used his full time allotted. Alonso has proved he can go the distance all the time.
The longest home run was 468 feet.
Schwarber finished as the runner-up in the Home Run Derby last year. Schwarber, a member of the Cubs at that time, got on a roll, blasting drive after drive into the right field seats, impressing peers with his consistency in the event. It could be the difference against Alonso.
A veteran hitter mused about the Home Run Derby this summer, about Alonso's dominance, and said that it would take someone with prior experience to take down the two-time defending champion. The boxer said it was a tiring event. You are tired." Nobody who has never dealt with that before is going to beat him.
Schwarber didn't seem inclined to participate this year, citing the event as a bucket list thing that he'd already crossed off. If Schwarber backs off from his approach out of fear of injury, Alonso will be difficult to beat. Schwarber could present a challenge to Alonso if he is up to the task.
Schwarber's 55 home runs were the most of any Derby participant, even though he lost toHarper in the finals.
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