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

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.