Someone can beat the home run king

With the announcement of the first participants in this summer’s eight-player field on Monday, one thing is clear: everyone will be trying to keep up with two-time derby champion Pete Alonso.

Announced participants: Pete Alonso, Ronald Acuña Jr., Albert Pujols, Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, Ronald Acuña Jr.

Pete Alonso
Total HRs in 2022: 23 | Longest: 447 ft.

Why he should be the home run king: Alonso has participated in two Home Run Derbies during his MLB career and twice finished the night as champion, and twice won a $1 million prize for his efforts.

In 2019, Alonso defeated Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in an epic battle by connecting for 57 total home runs in Cleveland. When the event returned in 2021, Alonso topped the field at Coors Field in Denver, beating Trey Mancini in the final round and connected for 74 total home runs, including 20 that traveled at least 475 feet.

After his 2021 victory, Alonso said, “I think I’m the best power hitter on the planet. To be able to show that and really put on a fun display for the fans, it’s really a dream come true for me. When I was younger, my parents allowed me to stay up past my bedtime to watch this.”

Clearly, all those late nights staying up watching were worth it for the Mets slugger.

Derby fun fact: Alonso joined Ken Griffey Jr. (1998-99) and Yoenis Cespedes (2013-14) as the only back-to-back champions in Derby history.

Ronald Acuña Jr.
Total HR in 2022: 8 | Longest: 464 ft.

Why He Could Beat Alonso: There may not be another player in this year’s field who competes with as much flair as Acuna does, and that could go a long way in front of a star-studded crowd in Los Angeles. While Acuna is known for his overall skills and Alonso more for his slugging alone, their career home run totals show that the power difference between the two NL East stars isn’t as great as you might think:

Why He Might Not: After returning earlier this season from an ACL injury suffered last July, Acuna’s power hitting has been the last part of his game to return. So far in 2022, he has connected on just eight home runs in 53 games after connecting for 24 homers in 82 games before his season ended last summer.

Derby fun fact: Acuna appeared in the 2019 Home Run Derby, knocking off Josh Bell in the first round before falling to (you guessed it), Pete Alonso in the semifinals. Acuna connected for 19 home runs in the round before Alonso connected for 20 to advance to the finals.

Albert Pujols
Total HR in 2022: 5 | Longest: 426 ft.

Why he could beat Alonso: Well, the guy does know a thing or two about hitting home runs, considering he’s hit 684 of them in his career regular season, not to mention 19 more in the postseason. Sure, it’s been a long time since the peak of Pujols’ career, but he still has the natural power to do damage in this contest, and his late-career swing has been more lofted-oriented anyway. He’ll be the sentimental favorite, and maybe the crowd will get behind him with some additional home runs.

Why not: Did we mention it’s been a long time since Pujols’ peak? If he stays at five home runs over the next week, he’ll have the fewest for a player entering the contest. (Ivan Rodriguez of the Tigers had six when he participated at his home ballpark in 2005). Pujols will be the oldest player to participate; the previous oldest entrant was 39-year-old Barry Bonds in 2004 AND it’s hard to imagine Pujols having the stamina to win three rounds. Heck, we’ve seen young guys fatigue after one or two rounds, and Pujols is 42!

Derby fun fact: Pujols will be the seventh player to make at least five appearances in the Home Run Derby, joining Griffey Jr., McGwire, Fielder, Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Ortiz.

Juan Soto
Total home runs in 2022: 17 | Longest: 451 ft.

Why he could beat Alonso: Because he clearly wants to. A lot of young players are ready in the Home Run Derby, but Soto is back for the second year in a row. You might remember he beat Ohtani 31-28 a year ago in an epic overtime clash before losing 16-15 to Alonso in the semifinals. He wants his revenge.

Why he might not: That 16-15 loss to Alonso actually wasn’t as close as it sounds. Soto went first and tired after his great first round. Alonso actually had about a minute on the clock when he beat Soto, so he would have destroyed him had he used his full time allotment. Alonso has shown he can go all the way in all three rounds; Soto has not.