The Home Run Derby is upon us, baseball fans! After this event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, it has finally made its highly-anticipated return this year in the Mile High City on Monday night. This year marks the first Home Run Derby since all-time great and home run king Henry Aaron’s death. To honor the Aaron’s career and his 755 career home runs, this year’s Derby competitors will all wear the number 44. Members of Aaron’s family will be in attendance at the Coors Field Derby, and at the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday evening.
THE COMPETITORS: ARE THERE TOO MANY PROMISING CONTENDERS?
There are a lot of talented and promising competitors in the 2021 Derby. Competitors are 2019 champion and Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, Texas Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo, Oakland A’s first baseman Matt Olson, Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto, Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini and Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez. Ohtani is the current favorite to win the Derby, but players like Alonso and Gallo certainly pose a threat.
HOME RUN DERBY BRACKET
Here is the 2021 MLB Home Run Derby Bracket via ESPN.
Left side
- Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (1) vs. Nationals’ Juan Soto (8)
- Royals’ Salvador Perez (4) vs. Mets’ Pete Alonso (5)
Right side
- Rangers’ Joey Gallo (2) vs. Rockies’ Trevor Story (7)
- Athletics’ Matt Olson (3) vs. Orioles’ Trey Mancini (6)
HOME RUN DERBY ODDS
This morning, Angels player Shohei Ohtani opened as the favorite for this year’s Home Run Derby. Here are the current odds via the Sports News website.
- Shohei Ohtani: +240
- Joey Gallo: +420
- Pete Alonso: +450
- Matt Olson: +600
- Juan Soto: +800
- Trevor Story: +800
- Salvador Perez: +1500
- Trey Mancini: +1500
PREPARE FOR SOME DINGERS!
The Home Run Derby is a long-honored MLB tradition. Baseball fans from all backgrounds and interest levels, and even casual fans tune in year after year to watch the great players of the league perform in a home run competition. What is there not to like with out-of-the-park plays, talented hitters, and exciting matchups?
The Home Run Derby is certainly one of the most entertaining, fun, and exciting sporting events, and you can bet that people are particularly excited to watch it this year! Make sure to tune into ESPN at 8pm EST to watch the 2021 Home Run Derby!
