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.

Pete Alonso

You have to have the defending champ back to fight off all challengers for his crown, right?

Alonso was a rookie when he powered his way to the title in Cleveland in 2019. He hit 53 homers that season, but the power has dropped off since, with the Mets first baseman hitting 16 in last year’s 60-game slate and just 10 so far this year.

He missed some time in May with a hand sprain, but has four of his 10 homers on the season since returning from that injury.

Ryan McMahon

Representing the home team, the Colorado Rockies, should be infielder Ryan McMahon. He’s never participated in a Home Run Derby, but has told us he’d be up for the challenge if asked.

Hitting from the left side of the plate, McMahon’s fluid swing has home at 16 home runs this season. He already knows Coors Field and has shown he knows how to reach the seats at 20th and Blake.

The Rockies enter Saturday with a 25-14 record in Denver. Despite their overall losing record, they’ve found a way to be winners in Denver. Perhaps McMahon could find a way to log another win in front of what should be a partisan crowd.

Adolis García

Hey, everyone likes a good story, right? How about this one from the Texas Rangers of the power hitter who was called up from the alternate site after the season began and has been mashing ever since?

The 28-year-old García has 17 homers on the year, including 11 in the month of May. He didn’t homer in the Rangers’ trip to Coors Field at the beginning of June, so there’s no doubt he would love another crack at reaching the seats.

García has the power. Give him the chance to display it on the biggest power-hitting stage there is.