Henry Roldán
Little by little, names are being added to participate in the Home Run Derby that complements this season’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
At the time of writing, five players had confirmed their attendance at the home run event. Below, you have a quick description of each of them.
Confirmed participants for the 2022 Home Run Derby
Pete Alonso
The “Polar Bear” will seek to defend his crown in Los Angeles and win his third consecutive title after confirming his attendance on Monday.
The Mets first baseman won the derby in 2019 and 2021 (there was no competition in 2020 due to the pandemic). Additionally, he has already hit 23 home runs this season, demonstrating why he blasted a total of 130 hits after six rounds at the time of winning his two crowns.
Ronald Acuña Jr.
The young Atlanta Braves star was the first to confirm his second appearance in the tournament after falling in the second round to Alonso in 2019.
The Venezuelan outfielder has 22 home runs this season and always puts on a show when he smacks the ball out of the park. This is something Home Run Derby spectators will surely appreciate this year.
Albert Pujols
The Dominican star joined the event after confirming his presence in the All-Star Game as a Legacy Player selected by commissioner Rob Manfred.
Albert Pujols is in his last season as an active player and although his power is not the same that led him to a total of 684 home runs in the Major Leagues so far, this season he has hit five with the St. Louis Cardinals and could hit a few in his fifth participation in the event.
Juan Soto
The young Dominican of the Washington Nationals will participate in his second consecutive Home Run Derby after losing last season, in the second round, to Alonso.
Juan Soto has not had a good batting season, but he still has hit 17 complete-game home runs in 2022.
Kyle Schwarber
One of the most notable home run hitters of recent seasons in the Major Leagues is the latest to jump on the Home Run Derby boat.
The Philadelphia Phillies’ outfielder will be going to his second appearance in this event after losing the 2018 finale to his now teammate, Bryce Harper. Since 2017, taking out the pandemic season, Kyle Schwarber has connected for at least 25 home runs in every season and this year leads the National League with 28.
