(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Eight players have been chosen and now it is time to take a look at the sluggers that will send baseball fans around the world into a frenzy with monster home runs into the Washington DC night. The T-Mobile Home Run Derby is scheduled for July 16th and over 41,000 people will get to witness this event live at Nationals Park. Let’s take a look at the bracket.
Home Run Derby Viewing Details
Home Run Derby 2018 Viewing Details
Date: July 16th
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Nationals Park, Washington DC
Channel: ESPN
Bracket
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlI3c9UHKd-/?tagged=homerunderby
(1) Jesus Aguilar v. (8) Rhys Hoskins
(4) Alex Bregman v. (5) Kyle Schwarber
(3) Max Muncy v. (6) Javier Baez
(2) Bryce Harper v. (7) Freddie Freeman
These eight players have combined for 150 home runs halfway through the season and there is a very real possibility that they will continue their slugging ways in the second half. Now let’s take a look at each of the players participating in this years T-Mobile Home Run Derby.
Jesus Aguilar
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Aguilar plays for the Milwaukee Brewers and gained the number one seed because of his 24 long balls this season. He is a large and powerful player with a knack for launching the ball well over 400 feet. He has the potential to put up some serious numbers and he is a nightmare for opposing pitchers. Aguilar gained the last vote to make the National League All-Star team and he’s out to prove that he is an MVP candidate.
Bryce Harper
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It’s always a special feeling when you get selected to an All-Star game in your home city and get to play in front of your hometown fans alongside the other fantastic players in baseball. Harper burst onto the MLB scene at the age of 19 and has really made his mark. He enters the derby with 23 dingers. There is no doubt that he is going to be a future hall of famer. Harper’s all-around play is something that is truly unique. Do not be surprised if he feeds off of the hometown energy and takes home the crown when the night is finished.
Max Muncy
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Muncy has been one of the surprise players in the 2018 season so far. He was let go by the Oakland Athletics in 2017 and was later picked up by the Dodgers in a minor league deal. After a number of injuries, Muncy was brought up to the majors and has hit his stride. He batted an abysmal .186 in his last season with the A’s and although he didn’t make the All-Star team, he will make an impact for the Dodgers in the second half of the season. Muncy is a sleeper in this event with 22 home runs on the season. Do not be surprised if gives Harper a run for his money in the semi-finals if they both make it that far.
Alex Bregman
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I absolutely love how Alex Bregman plays the game of baseball. He’s a hard-nosed and old-school type of player that you really don’t see anymore. Bregman has sneaky power and has the potential to really send balls into orbit. To think that he still has his best years of baseball ahead of him is scary to think. He has made an impact for the Astros ever since he was called up and he has already passed his home run total from last year with 20. Geaux Bregman!
Kyle Schwarber
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I’m going to make this perfectly clear right now. Kyle Schwarber is an absolute unit. The former Indiana Hoosier has some serious power and has sent balls out of Wrigley Field with an extremely fast and violent swing. Schwarber had also lost a significant amount of weight in the offseason. That weight loss helped set the stage for a strong 2018 season and he has 18 home runs so far. Do not be shocked if Schwarber heats up and hits a number of tape measure shots throughout the night.
Javier Baez
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkeB6_eB4TE/?taken-by=javy23baez
The crowned jewel of the Cubs infield is heading to his first ever home run derby and he is packing some serious heat this season. Baez hit 23 home runs last season and he has 19 up to this point. With Kris Bryant coming back from an injury, expect Baez to step up his game even more as the Cubs prepare for yet another possible division and deep postseason run when October comes.
Freddie Freeman
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Freddie Freeman has such raw power and when he gets a hold of one, you know it’s going to leave the park. With his first home run derby coming up, Freeman enters Nationals Park as the seven seed but his 6’5″ and long-limbed stature gives him something to work with. He will be matched up against division rival Bryce Harper. Defeating Harper will be a tough task. However, do not be surprised if Freeman makes the first round extremely interesting. Freeman enters the derby with 16 home runs.
Rhys Hoskins
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Going to a school surrounded by Philadelphia sports fanatics is an adventure. However, these people are raving about Rhys Hoskins. I really can’t blame them. Hoskins burst onto the scene last season and became a bright spot for the Phillies in an otherwise miserable 2017 season. Hoskins hit 18 home runs last year and currently has 14. He is the face of a team that leads the NL East and could be a serious contender for an NL Championship. The former Sacramento State Hornet will have his work cut out for him going up against number one Jesus Aguilar.
Prediction
We have players from all different categories competing this year. We have the young faces, seasoned veterans, and those who surprised thousands. Nationals Park is in for a treat and it will one an extremely fun event to watch. When it’s all said and done it will most likely come down to Bryce Harper and Jesus Aguilar and Bryce Harper will send the hometown fans happy as he will be taking home the 2018 T-Mobile Home Run Derby Championship.
Winner: Bryce Harper
