2023 MLB Home Run Derby: 5 Players We'd Love to See Compete
The Home Run Derby will begin on July 10th; we already know six contestants. Jason Radowitz shares the five players that he'd love to see participate in the 2023 Home Run Derby. Check out who he has on his list.
Jason Radowitz - July 5, 2023, 11:14 AM EDT
5 min2023 MLB Home Run Derby: 5 Players We'd Love to See Compete
The Home Run Derby will begin on July 10 at 8 pm EST at the T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
We know six of the contestants. But what about the other two?
So far, the sluggers competing include Adley Rutschman, Pete Alonso, Randy Arozarena, Mookie Betts, Julio Rodriguez, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
We'd love to see five power bats take those final two spots for this year's Home Run Derby.
2023 MLB Home Run Derby Start Time and Where to Watch
Date: Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Where to Watch: ESPN
Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels
Who doesn't want to watch this year's likely AL MVP go to work at the Home Run Derby? Ohtani has already hit 31 home runs on the season and is currently on pace for another MVP award (and many other awards) this season.
Reports state that he's been asked but hasn't decided. His new blister on his finger might help him make up his decision. The decision would, unfortunately, be a no.
However, we did get to watch Ohtani participate already. Ohtani competed in the Derby in 2021 and fell to Juan Soto.
Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves
The MLB asked Matt Olson to participate in the Home Run Derby this year, but he apparently declined. Maybe he'll change his mind last minute.
Olson is leading the National League with 28 home runs. He's got a smooth swing from the left side and is becoming one of baseball's best first basemen. He's hitting power numbers Freddie Freeman never could in Atlanta.
Freeman hit a career-best 38 home runs in 2019 and has only had two seasons with 30+ home runs. Olson needs two more home runs to reach 30 before the All-Star break.
Luis Robert, Chicago White Sox
Luis Robert had a rough go last season. But many analysts, including myself, agreed he would figure things out again this season.
And he has.
Robert has slugged 25 home runs before the All-Star break and is now looked at much differently than he was a season ago. Robert is even hitting .276, which is hard to do as a power hitter. Only Ohtani, Robert, and Ronald Acuna have 20+ homers and a batting average of .275 or better in the MLB.
Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks
Julio Rodriguez went into the Home Run Derby as a rookie. Why can't Carroll?
Carroll has slugged 18 home runs and is hitting a .292. He will be an All-Star in the MLB for years to come. I mean, he just hit an opposite-field home run against Max Scherzer earlier this week. That's an incredible feat.
Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
You've always got to include that one older player. Joey Votto had his chance in 2017 and declined, despite having 23 home runs before the All-Star break that season.
This year, he's really got nothing to lose. He's a fan favorite and would put on a show for everyone watching. Votto wouldn't win the competition, but most baseball fans would appreciate Votto in a Home Run Derby. He's just got the perfect personality for something like this.
He's also got a beautiful swing!
MLB Odds
