After an exhilarating first half full of surprises and memorable moments, the MLB pauses for the All-Star break to celebrate the brightest stars of the first half.
One of the highlights of the break in the action is the 2015 MLB Home Run Derby, which happens Monday night on the eve of the Midsummer Classic.
The MLB has done a nice job of generating buzz for the long ball competition this year, changing it to a bracket-style tournament and implementing timed rounds rather than a specific number of outs. The sluggers were seeded based on the number of homers they launched in the first half and the first round is all AL vs. NL matchups.
Here are our predictions for the big event:
(1) Albert Pujols vs. (8) Kris Bryant
Pujols is partaking in his fourth derby and is in the competition for the first time since 2009. The Angels slugger was the runner-up in the 2003 event at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, where he hit 26 balls out of the park. He ranks eighth with 50 all-time homers in the competition. Pujols is tied for second in the majors and first in the American League with 26 round-trippers this season.
Bryant has turned many heads since making his MLB debut earlier this year and he could very well upset the top-seeded Pujols Monday night. The Cubs third baseman has 12 homers in 78 games this season.
While there could be an upset, Pujols has said this is likely his last derby and he'll look to make it a long stay.
The Pick: Pujols
(2) Todd Frazier vs. (7) Prince Fielder
Frazier will have the motivation of slugging it out in his home ballpark in front of the Cincinnati faithful Monday night. Frazier is participating in the derby for the second time after being eliminated in the finals last year in Minnesota. The Reds third baseman is third in the National League with 25 homers.
Fielder is one of three multi-derby winners and will look to be the second person to ever win the contest three times, and to join Ken Griffey Jr. as the only duo in history to accomplish the feat. Fielder won the event in 2009 in St. Louis and again in 2012 in Kansas City. He ranks fourth in all-time derby homers (68) and sixth in most single-derby big flies (28). Fielder has 14 home runs this season.
While it would be tough to see the hometown hero go down early, Fielder is a formidable foe with plenty of experience in the competition and gets the edge.
The Pick: Fielder
(3) Josh Donaldson vs. (6) Anthony Rizzo
Donaldson enters his second derby after being eliminated in the opening round last year at Target Field. The Blue Jays third baseman is tied for fifth in the AL with 21 long balls on the campaign.
Rizzo makes his Home Run Derby debut and the Cubs first baseman has blasted a team-best 16 homers thus far in 2015.
Donaldson will look to erase a forgetful performance last year, but in the end Rizzo, one of the games premiere young sluggers, will stand tall.
The Pick: Rizzo
Joc Pederson (4) vs. Manny Machado (5)
Pederson may not hit for average, but he's exploded on the scene in his rookie year and leads all first-year players with 20 round-trippers this season. He also leads the Dodgers in home runs and ranks sixth in the NL.
Machado makes his debut in the Home Run Derby and he is tied for the Orioles club lead with 19 big flies on the season.
This should be a fun matchup between two very talented hitters, but in the end the rookie will advance to the semifinals.
The Pick: Pederson
Semifinals: (1) Pujols vs. (4) Pederson
The way the MLB has it laid out, there is no re-seeding so despite Rizzo (6) and Fielder (7) being alive in my bracket, the two higher seeds face-off due to them both being on the left side of it while Rizzo/Fielder occupy the right.
This will be a tough matchup and it would be fun to see Pujols get to the finals again, but the young Pederson could also put on a show and add an interesting layer to the proceedings.
The Pick: Pederson
Semifinals: (6) Rizzo vs. (7) Fielder
This will be another great matchup between two hitters that can mash. Rizzo will give him a run for his money, but the quest for a third derby crown will help Fielder prevail.
The Pick: Fielder
Finals: (4) Pederson vs. (7) Fielder
Any one of these eight players could get to the finals, but an NL vs. AL matchup is the most ideal and a rookie against a veteran with two wins under his belt would also add some more drama. While Fielder could run out of gas at this point, his experience in getting deep into the competition could propel him past a rookie who is new to this stage. Fielder will emerge victorious for the third time in his career.
The Pick: Fielder
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