2022 MLB Home Run Derby Predictions: Will Pete Alonso Three-Pete?
2022 MLB Home Run Derby Predictions: Will Pete Alonso Three-Pete?
2022 MLB Home Run Derby Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
- Date: July 18, 2022
- Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN
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2022 MLB Home Run Derby Prediction
There is nothing that brings out my inner child like the home run derby. Something about watching sluggers sending baseballs into orbit just does it for me, no matter how old I am. This year we have a bunch of youngsters and Albert Pujols on his retirement tour.
Pujols is the veteran of the group both in age and Home Run Derby experience as he has participated in it four times (2003, 2007, 2009, and 2015). Unfortunately, I will not be going with Pujols at this point in his career, the rest of the field is intriguing though.
Julio Rodriguez is the youngest of the bunch but has the bat speed to make him dangerous in this kind of event. While Ronald Acuna Jr. hasn't had much luck with the home run ball this year he too can be considered dangerous when you consider his hard hit rate and barrel percentage.
The showdown I am most looking forward to though is Pete Alonso vs. Kyle Schwarber. If everything breaks right it should be these two in the final and man do they have the potential to put on a show. They are both stereotypical power bats, put on this earth to hit baseballs very, very far.
Kyle Schwarber already has 29 bombs on the season and an .829 OPS. Don't expect him to hit for a high average, that has never been his game but that brute force he can put behind the ball makes him an interesting target.
I can't find myself picking against my guy though. Pete Alonso has won the last two home run derbies and you can get him at plus-money. That is far too kind from the sportsbooks here.
He has 24 homers himself this year and as I just mentioned, has the experience as the two-time defending champion. There is definitely not any Mets fan bias here in this pick, not even a little bit. It comes down to stamina, raw power, and experience. Pete checks all of those boxes.
2022 MLB Home Run Derby Pick
- Pete Alonso +185 (Bet $100 to win $185)