MLB All-Star Game and Home Run Derby Preview

“Phillies vs Nationals 8/1/12” by Matthew Straubmuller is licensed under CC BY 2.0

By RahimAli Merchant

Major League Baseball has reached the mid point of the season and it’s that time of year where we see some of the league’s best sluggers compete for the crown of 2018 Home Run Derby champion that will take place in Washington DC.

Washington’s Bryce Harper will be participating in the Home Run Derby this year and is a heavy favorite. Harper is looking to become the Home Run Derby champion in the city where he plays. The last player to win the crown for the host city was Todd Frazier as a member of the Cincinnati Reds in 2015. How will Harper fair against the field?

Let’s find out:

Milwaukee Brewers’ Jesus Aguilar

Philadelphia Phillies’ Rhys Hoskins

Houston Astros’ Alex Bregman

Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber

Atlanta Braves’ Freddie Freeman

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy

Chicago Cubs’ Javier Baez

Harper will have to face divisional rival, Freddie Freeman in the first round and hopes to grab the momentum early to lead him to the championship. Harper and his Nationals teammate, Max Schzerer will be a part of this year’s traditional All-Star game where the American League slugs it out with the National League.

Let’s check out the squads:

American League
Starters
C: Salvador Perez, Royals (replacement starter)
1B: Jose Abreu, White Sox
2B: Jose Altuve, Astros
3B: Jose Ramirez, Indians
SS: Manny Machado, Orioles
OF: Mookie Betts, Red Sox
OF: Mike Trout, Angels
OF: Aaron Judge, Yankees
DH: J.D. Martinez, Red Sox

Reserves
C: Yan Gomes, Indians (replacement)
C: Wilson Ramos, Rays (injured starter)
1B: Mitch Moreland, Red Sox
2B: Gleyber Torres, Yankees(injured)
2B: Jed Lowrie, Athletics (replacement )
3B Alex Bregman, Astros
SS: Francisco Lindor, Indians

SS: Jean Segura, Mariners
OF: Michael Brantley, Indians
OF: Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers
OF: Mitch Haniger, Mariners
OF: George Springer, Astros
OF: Nelson Cruz, Mariners

Pitchers
RHP: Trevor Bauer, Indians
RHP: Jose Berrios, Twins
LHP: Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (inactive)
RHP: Gerrit Cole, Astros
RHP: Edwin Diaz, Mariners
LHP: J.A. Happ, Blue Jays
RHP: Joe Jimenez, Tigers
RHP: Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox
RHP: Corey Kluber, Indians (inactive)
RHP: Charlie Morton, Astros (replacement)
LHP: Chris Sale, Red Sox
RHP: Luis Severino, Yankees
LHP: Blake Snell, Rays (replacement)
RHP: Blake Treinen, Athletics
RHP: Justin Verlander, Astros (inactive)

National League
Starters
C: Willson Contreras, Cubs
1B: Freddie Freeman, Braves
2B: Javier Baez, Cubs
3B: Nolan Arenado, Rockies
SS: Brandon Crawford, Giants
OF: Nick Markakis, Braves
OF: Matt Kemp, Dodgers
OF: Bryce Harper, Nationals

Reserves
C: Yadier Molina, Cardinals (replacement)
C: Buster Posey, Giants (injured)
C: J.T. Realmuto, Marlins
1B: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs
1B: Joey Votto, Reds

1B: Jesus Aguilar, Brewers
2B: Ozzie Albies, Braves
2B: Scooter Gennett, Reds
3B: Eugenio Suarez, Reds
SS: Trevor Story, Rockies
OF: Charlie Blackmon, Rockies
OF: Lorenzo Cain, Brewers
OF: Christian Yelich, Brewers

Pitchers
LHP: Patrick Corbin, D-backs
RHP: Jacob deGrom, Mets
LHP: Sean Doolittle, Nationals (injured)
RHP: Mike Foltynewicz, Braves
RHP: Zack Greinke, D-backs (replacement)
LHP: Josh Hader, Brewers
LHP: Brad Hand, Padres
RHP: Kenley Jansen, Dodgers
RHP: Jeremy Jeffress, Brewers (replacement)
LHP: Jon Lester, Cubs (inactive)
RHP: Miles Mikolas, Cardinals (inactive)
RHP: Aaron Nola, Phillies
RHP: Max Scherzer, Nationals
RHP: Ross Stripling, Dodgers
LHP: Felipe Vazquez, Pirates

The Cleveland Indians have six players representing them in the All-Star game, which is the most of any team this year. The Milwaukee Brewers have five players representing them, which is the most in the National league. Despite the amount of players each team has, everyone who is active will get a chance to play and we are in for another good one! So make sure you tune in and let me know who you got winning the Derby and the ASG.