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Blue Jays Jose Bautista picks American League Home Run Derby team
Jul 1, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter
Jose Bautista(19) at bat against the Milwaukee Brewers at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
By now, the All-Star Game Home Run Derby is old hat to Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista. After all, this will be Bautista’s third rodeo, and his second time as the captain of the American League squad.
Needless to say, he has some experience in knowing what does and does not work in the derby.
So of course, when Jose Bautista was named captain of the 2014 American League squad, there was a lot of speculation as to who he would name to the team and truth be told, it wasn’t an easy task. Some of the favorites seen as being added to the team either indicated they were not interested (Mike Trout and Robinson Cano) or were injured in the lead-up to the break (teammate Edwin Encarnacion).
However, as seen from Tuesday’s announcement of the 2014 Home Run Derby squads, Bautista managed to field a pretty competitive and interesting squad for this year’s competition. Of course, Bautista and his 17 home runs and his .218 ISO will be there, as will Troy Tulowitzki, Todd Frazier, Yasiel Puig, and Giancarlo Stanton for the National League.
Let’s take a look at who made Bautista’s cut for the American League Home Run Derby team.
Jun 28, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman
Brian Dozier(2) bats during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Brian Dozier – Minnesota Twins
Home Runs – 16
ISO – .182
At 5’11” and 190 pounds, second baseman Brian Dozier isn’t your typical home run derby contestant. However, he’s proving that big pop can sometimes come in small packages
The home town favorite has built off of a second half power surge in 2013 and has his sights set on a new career high for home runs in 2014. After setting a career mark in bombs in 2013 with 18, Dozier has 16 through the season’s first half this year, making it look like he’ll annihilate that previous plateau.
More importantly, he adds a little bit of home town flavor to the derby. But don’t look at his selection as being strictly because of the colors he wears. Dozier also has a solid split that favors him at Target Field, something that could play heavily in this competition.
Jul 3, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder
Adam Jones(10) singles during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Adam Jones – Baltimore Orioles
Home Runs – 16
ISO – .189
Many expected that Jones’ teammate Chris Davis would again get the nod in this year’s competition. However with Davis slumping, Jones has taken full advantage, using a 9 home run burst in June to jump into the drivers seat in Baltimore.
The 28-year-old center fielder has been a steady source of power for the Orioles over the past three seasons, averaging 30 bombs a season over that span.
It is actually quite easy to see why Jones was chosen by Bautista. Outside of teammate Chris Davis, it is hard to find a bigger Blue Jays killer than Jones, who has accumulated 24 home runs and 62 RBI in 117 games against Toronto over the course of his career. Additionally, he has 3 career home runs in 17 games at Target Field.
However, it is curious why Jones was chosen over another of his teammates, but we’ll get to that in a bit.
Jul 8, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics left fielder
Yoenis Cespedes(52) breaks his bat on an RBI single against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Yoenis Cespedes – Oakland Athletics
2014 Home Runs – 14
2014 ISO – .204
It just wouldn’t be the Home Run Derby without an appearance from the defending champion. The 28-year-old Cuban import put on a show at Citi Field in 2013, hitting 17 in the first round, 2 in the second, and another 9 in the final round to beat out Bryce Harper.
That played heavily into his return in 2014. Not only was it his role as the defending champion, but also his ability to hit the ball out of the toughest ballparks, as Citi Field isn’t necessarily known as being homer friendly.
Target Field is no different. However, Cespedes seems to have the Twins’ ballpark figured out in his limited 9-game exposure. In 40 plate appearances at Target, Cespedes only has 2 home runs, but is slashing .447/.450/.789 there.
The only difference this time around? Cespedes will actually be making the squad as an All-Star, something he could not claim a year ago.
Jun 29, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) waits for a pitch during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Chicago White Sox won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Who gets the final slot?
Of course, Major League Baseball has opted to string along the final contestants for each team. That leads to speculation as to who will be named on Thursday to those final slots.
The favorites for the American League are currently Jones’ Orioles teammate Nelson Cruz, who is tied for the Major League lead with 28 home runs. A year removed from being suspended for his role in the Biogenesis scandal, Cruz could be a polarizing pick by Bautista, even if his statistics show he has clearly earned it.
The man he’s tied with for that home run lead, Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox, would be a fantastic pick. However, Abreu has indicated that he really isn’t interested in competing in the Home Run Derby during his first full season, despite his 28 home runs and .627 slugging percentage.
An interesting choice would be Josh Donaldson or Brandon Moss of the Oakland Athletics, who both sit on 19 home runs at this writing. Both players have exhibited solid raw power this season and could help balance the squad.
So, who do you think gets the final nod?