Home Run Derby at Coors Field: 8 participants we hope to see

The world of baseball will turn its eyes to Denver and Coors Field from July 11-13 during Major League Baseball All-Star Game festivities, including the Home Run Derby.

With the best sluggers in the National League and American League having just eight spots available to participate in the Home Run Derby, the spots are precious and reserved for the most prolific long ball hitters in the game today.

Who would be the eight best participants to take part in the 2021 Home Run Derby?

We already know one of the home run hitters who will step up to the plate at 20th and Blake in Los Angeles Angels pitching/slugging phenom Shohei Ohtani. With his announcement on social media on Friday, Ohtani became the first of eight to secure their place in the Home Run Derby.

And Ohtani already has some history of hitting long balls at Coors Field. I was in the press box when Ohtani was taking batting practice before the Rockies and Angels met in a 2018 regular-season game. One swing stopped all of our pregame work and sit in stunned silence.

Also on Friday, we learned that New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has “no interest” in being in the Home Run Derby unless the game is in the Big Apple, so scratch him off the potential list.

But what about the other seven? Here are some thoughts.