2022 MLB All-Star Game: Who is participating in the Home Run Derby?

With MLB-All Star week just a day away, we’re here to give you a look at one of the most popular events: The Home Run Derby. Join us for the low down on all of the heavy hitters who will be participating in this year’s slugfest!

A closer look at the 2022 MLB Home Run Derby field

With the lineup for the 2022 MLB Home Run Derby almost set, one thing is assured and that’s the idea of star power i.e., there’s going to be a whole lot of it on the field this year. Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto will be out there along with Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. Then there is also St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Albert Pujols who recently committed to the July 18th event along with Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber who put his name in the hat on Tuesday via an Instagram post. If that wasn’t enough, Guardians hitter Jose Ramirez has also signed up. With two-time reigning Home Run Derby champion Pet Alonso aiming to be the first player ever to three-peat, it promises to be quite a show. All the same, take a look below for a top-down view of the players in the 2022 MLB Home Run Derby followed by the details of each:

Pete Alonso

With 23 home runs in 86 games, Alonso is no slouch. Indeed, the 27-year-old - as mentioned above actually won the Derby in 2019 at Progressive Field in Cleveland and then once more last year at Coors Field in Denver, following the 2020 break in feed due to the covid-19 pandemic. Should Alonso manage to emerge victorious he will join the likes Ken Griffey Jr. as the only player to win the Home Run Derby three times, however, he will stand-alone as the only one to do it consecutively.

Juan Soto

To be clear, we’re dealing with an experienced hitter in Juan Soto. Hitting .243/.398/.473 (153 OPS+) with 17 home runs in his first 85 games this season, the Nationals star comes into this year’s event having lost to Alonso in last year’s semifinals. For sake of context, Alonso put 46 balls into the upper deck during 2021′s event before finally bowing out to Alonso.

Ronald Acuna Jr.

Like Soto above, Acuña also fell to Alonso in the 2019 edition. Hitting .274/.369/.433 (121 OPS+) with eight home runs in his first 53 games, he comes into this year’s Derby without the tag of favorite, but keep an eye on him. It’s been a difficult road back for a player who had to watch the initial phases of this season from the stands as he recovered from a torn ACL which brought a premature end to his 2021 campaign.

Albert Pujols

It’s going to be an emotional ride for Pujols in this year’s All-Star Week. Having been selected to the All-Star Game just this past week by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, the Cardinals DH is expected to announce his retirement at season’s end. One could say that with that in mind, his inclusion is a nod of honor as he will surely be heading to the Hall of Fame. On the season he has batted .215/.303/.369 (94 OPS+) with five home runs in 48 games.

Kyle Schwarber

Coming into the Derby, Schwarber was the NL home run leader with 28 to his name. In 2021, he ended with 32 in 113 games, bringing his total to 181 home runs in 749 career games. For a hitter of his pedigree, it’s interesting to note that this is only the second time that Schwarber will be participating, which is to say don’t be surprised if he comes in hot. Back in 2018, he finished as runner-up to his present-day teammate Bryce Harper so one can imagine there is an element of unfinished business for him.

Julio Rodriguez

Rodriguez will be the 14th rookie to compete in the Home Run Derby and at the tender age of 21 will likely try to win the whole thing. If he manages to do so, he will become only the third rookie in history to do so following Aaron Judge in 2017, the aforementioned Alonso in 2019 and Wally Joyner was a co-champ as a rookie way back in 1986. In case you didn’t know, Rodríguez recently reached 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases faster than any player in MLB history.

José Ramírez

Let’s be clear, Ramirez put 36 home runs on the board in 2021 and he’s got 17 in 2022 to go along with 30 doubles, four triples and an AL-best 68 RBI. This is not a hitter to be trifled with and though he somewhat smaller frame might make you doubt, rest assure he’s got plenty of power. Interestingly, Ramirez has declined an invitation to join the fun on previous occasions. Could it be that his change of heart is bad news for the others out there?

The MLB Home Run Derby is missing three more contestants

At present, Miguel Cabrera’s status is unknown. What’s certain is that the veteran who was recently added to the All-Star Game itself is set to receive an invitation. With MLB requiring three additional players to complete the bracket, it’s either Cabrerar or somebody else. New York Yankees bat breaker Giacarlo Stanton has suggested in recent days that he might join the lineup, but nothing is set in stone. Stanton is currently sitting on 22 home runs season so he’s definitely got the credentials, but only time will tell. As for the event itself, Monday, July 19th is the day so mark your calendars and prepare for the party!