MLB: Judgement Day?
The 2017 Home-Run Derby is tonight and I think it will be one of the best we’ll see in a while. The No. 1 seed is the reigning champion Giancarlo Stanton. Not only is Stanton the top seed, but The Derby is in Miami, home of the Marlins. This year there will be a display of big bats all the way down the bracket.
The best part is that it’s full of young guns. Stanton has been in the league the longest, seven years. Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon and Royals’ Mike Moustakas both have six years under their belt. Marlins’ Justin Bour is in his third year. Twins’ Miguel Sano and Yankees’ Gary Sanchez are in their sophomore season. Also, there are two explosive rookies: Yankees’ Aaron Judge and Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger.
The Format:
- Four-minute rounds.
- 30-second timeouts in first and second rounds, final round players get an additional 45-seconds.
- 30-second bonus for players who hit two or more home runs longer than 440 feet.
- A tie results in a 60-second overtime period.
- If overtime results in a tie, there will be a 3-attempt swing off.
First Round:
(1) Giancarlo Stanton vs. (8) Gary Sanchez
Stanton is the reigning champ and is on his home turf. No disrespect to Sanchez, but Stanton is not losing.
(4) Mike Moustakas vs. (5) Miguel Sano
I like Moustakas in this matchup. He has been hot since April 3, and has totaled his career high home run count.
(3) Cody Bellinger vs. (6) Charlie Blackmon
Aside from Judge, Bellinger is the hottest rookie this year. He is the fastest player to reach 21 home runs as he did so in 51 games. I’ll take Bellinger.
(2) Aaron Judge vs. (7) Justin Bour
Aaron Judge, Aaron Judge, Aaron Judge. Judge has, league leading, 30 home runs to-date, and MLB longest, 495 foot home run. Judge wins easily.
Second Round:
(1) Giancarlo Stanton vs. (4) Mike Moustakas
In last year’s derby, Stanton hit 61 home runs and could easily do it again this year. I think his home crowd will give him the extra boost to get through to the finals.
(2) Aaron Judge vs. (3) Cody Bellinger
Battle of the Rookies. Bellinger has been a bit cold as of late and tonight could be what he needs to heat up, but I don’t think it will be enough to get past the beast that Aaron Judge is.
Final Round:
(1) Giancarlo Stanton vs. (2) Aaron Judge
This will be the highlight of the night and possibly the weekend. Giancarlo Stanton vs Aaron Judge. I believe both sluggers will have a high home run total and it could potentially go to overtime, but I am going to take Aaron Judge in this event.
Photo Credit: NJ.com.
