The 2022 MLB Pro Home Run Derby will take place on Monday with hometown favorite Rafael Castillo leading the field of eight participants.
The Home Run Derby will consist of three rounds where batters will be looking to hit as many home runs as possible in a three-minute stretch. The field for the 2022 MLB Pro Home Run Derby is as follows:
–American League–
Alex O’Connell, Tampa Bay Rays (28 Home Runs): The American League home-run leader and first time All-Star has taken a huge step forward in his second season in the bigs. After smashing 18 homers in 575 at-bats last season, O’Connell has 28 in 329 at-bats entering the All-Star break, hitting 14 both at home and on the road.
Keston Hiura, Detroit Tigers (18 Home Runs): The 25 year-old Detroit Tiger got off to a terrific start to the season hitting 13 of his 18 homers in the opening two months of the season. Hiura’s 18 homers have one-upped the 17 he hit in 2021. Oddsmakers are ready to insert Hiura as the favorite if he were to call on teammate Kyle Cody to serve as the one to pitch to him.
Seiya Suzuki, Boston Red Sox (19 Home Runs): After hitting 21 homers a season ago in his MLB Pro debut season, Suzuki has hit 19 in 89 games of action. The 2019 NPB Home Run Derby Champion will look to repeat his derby success in Cincinnati.
Trevor Story, Oakland A’s (16 Home Runs): Like the other American League contenders, Trevor Story has had a breakthrough season here in 2022. His power has been present every time the A’s have the hit the road, with 10 of his 16 home runs coming away from the Oakland Coliseum.
–National League–
Andrew Vaughn, Philadelphia Phillies (22 Home Runs): The 79th pick in the 2019 draft has had a quick ascension through the minors and into immediate MLB level success. An All-Star in his first season in the bigs, Vaughn is tied for sixth in the National League with his 22 homers, joining Ronald Acuna, Fernando Leguizamo, and Millard Thomas as the only NL players with at least 20 home runs who are under the age of 25.
Eloy Jimenez, Chicago Cubs (17 Home Runs): Jimenez has caused nightmares to some right-handed pitchers this season where 14 of his 17 home runs have come. Jimenez has enjoyed the friendly confines of Wrigley Field and has quickly become a fan favorite for his batting practice displays of immense power.
Jose Abreu, Los Angeles Dodgers (20 Home Runs): A prized free-agent signing this past off-season, Abreu is showing the power he displayed in 2020 when he hit 43 homers. While Abreu has only homered three times here in July, one of those came in the Dodgers final game of the first-half on Saturday against the Angels.
Rafael Castillo, Cincinnati Reds (29 Home Runs): The MLB Pro leader in home runs will look to put on a show in front of his hometown fans. Castillo ran through Ralph Scholl and Steve Winter in last season’s derby before falling to Martin Lopez in the final. Castillo’s 74 home runs since the start of the 2021 season are more than any other player in the league.
-First Round-
-Second Round-