The eight MLB players set to take the batters box at San Diego’s Petco Park next Monday for the 2016 T-Mobile Home Run Derby have been announced, and this year’s participants don’t disappoint one bit.
Without further ado, here they are (an explanation of this year’s format can also be found below):
1. MARK TRUMBO, ORIOLES
Longest HR of 2016: 458 feet, June 2 (sixth inning) vs. Red Sox, off Rick Porcello
Hardest-hit HR of 2016: 114.8 mph, June 2 (fourth inning) vs. Red Sox, off Porcello
Average HR distance in 2016: 413 feet
Average exit velocity in 2016: 107.2 mph
2. TODD FRAZIER, WHITE SOX
Longest HR of 2016: 427 feet, May 31 at Mets, off Steven Matz
Hardest-hit HR of 2016: 109.4 mph, May 14 at Yankees, off Ivan Nova
Average HR distance in 2016: 391 feet
Average exit velocity in 2016: 102.8 mph
3. ADAM DUVALL, REDS
Longest HR of 2016: 457 feet, May 22 vs. Mariners, off Wade Miley
Hardest-hit HR of 2016: 110.3 mph, May 22 vs. Mariners, off Miley
Average HR distance in 2016: 401 feet
Average exit velocity in 2016: 103.5 mph
4. ROBINSON CANO, MARINERS
Longest HR of 2016: 427 feet, June 9 vs. Indians, off Bryan Shaw
Hardest-hit HR of 2016: 109.9 mph, April 4 at Rangers, off Cole Hamels
Average HR distance in 2016: 395 feet
Average exit velocity in 2016: 104.5 mph
5. GIANCARLO STANTON, MARLINS
Longest HR of 2016: 475 feet, May 6 vs. Phillies, off Hector Neris
Hardest-hit HR of 2016: 116.8 mph, April 30 at Brewers, off Chase Anderson
Average HR distance in 2016: 419.8 feet
Average exit velocity in 2016: 109.7 mph
6. WIL MYERS, PADRES
Longest HR of 2016: 453 feet, April 9 at Colorado, off Chad Qualls
Hardest-hit HR of 2016: 113.2 mph, June 16 vs. Washington, off Tanner Roark
Average HR distance in 2016: 401 feet
Average exit velocity in 2016: 104.8 mph
7. CARLOS GONZALEZ, ROCKIES
Longest HR of 2016: 459 feet, May 30 vs. Reds, off Tony Cingrani
Hardest-hit HR of 2016: 117.4 mph, April 4 at Diamondbacks, off Zack Greinke
Average HR distance in 2016: 422 feet
Average exit velocity in 2016: 105.5 mph
8. COREY SEAGER, DODGERS
Longest HR of 2016: 440 feet, June 13 at Brewers, off Zach Davies
Hardest-hit HR of 2016: 109.9 mph, May 31 at Cubs, off Trevor Cahill
Average HR distance in 2016: 399 feet
Average exit velocity in 2016: 103.4 mph
***
Not a bad field, eh? Chock full of seasoned veterans and emerging stars, this year’s Derby looks like it’ll offer some great contests at an exceptionally hitter-friendly Padres ballpark.
The format of the contest this year seeds players No. 1 through 8 according to how many dingers they’ve dinged as of Wednesday, when the MLB announce the field. Trumbo, as the No. 1 seed, will take on the winner of No. 4 Cano and No. 5 Stanton in the semifinals. On the flip-side of the bracket format, No. 3 seed Duvall faces No. 6 Myers and No. 2 Frazier meets No. 7 Gonzalez in the first round. Bracket on down until we have a winner.
And it’s almost impossible to pick a favorite here, what, with Wil Myers playing in his home park, Giancarlo Stanton being impossibly hot at the dish as of late, Robie Cano already with a HR Derby title to his name, and Trumbo leading the majors, demolishing any pitch thrown in his way, while the other four contestants are quite prodiguous in their own right.
Here’s the rules that will govern the Derby this year:
• Single-elimination tournament in which the winner of each matchup advances and the loser of each matchup is eliminated.
• If the second batter hits more home runs than the first batter in any matchup, he will be declared the winner and not attempt to hit additional home runs.
• Four minutes per batter for each round. Clock starts with the release of the first pitch. In the first round and semifinals, each batter is entitled to one 45-second “time out.” In the finals, each batter is entitled to two 45-second “time-outs.”
• Thirty seconds of bonus time will be awarded for two home runs that each equal or exceed 440 feet.
• Ties in any round will be broken by a 60-second swing-off with no stoppage of time or additional time added. If a tie remains after the swing-off, batters will engage in successive three-swing swing-offs until there is a winner.
Be sure to tune in Monday when we unveil our annual 2016 Home Run Derby drinking game. Here’s a refresher of last year’s if you’re not familiar…
And cheers, to many, many moonshots hit next Monday eve!
[HR stats & info. c/o MLB.com]