by
• 2023 Home Run Derby
• Monday, July 10 at 8 p.m. ET
• T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington
Each summer, there are few things better than the All-Star Game for Major League Baseball. The best players in the game put on a show for fans to enjoy. With that said, the home-run derby is easily one of the best showcases for people to check out. This is truly a fun contest to watch, with countless homers being hit. This year, things are taking place at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Entering the competition, Pete Alonso is the favorite to win the 2023 Home Run Derby.
It has been a year to remember for the Mets slugger. Despite the team from Queens not living up to expectations in 2023, that doesn’t take away from what the man known as Polar Bear has been able to do. On the year, the right-handed hitter has posted 25 home runs for the NL East side. Whenever Alonso goes yard, the people at Citi Field explode in celebration. He’s really fantastic with the bat in his hands.
| HR Derby odds |  |  |  |  |
| Alonso to win | +300 | +300 | +300 | +300 |
| Rodriguez to win | +350 | +350 | +350 | +350 |
| Guerrero Jr. to win | +425 | +425 | +425 | +425 |
| Betts to win | +500 | +500 | +500 | +500 |
Alonso may be the favorite, but there are other big names who will be ready to try and win the title this time around. As of this writing, the confirmed participants in the Home Run Derby are Alonso, Julio Rodriguez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Mookie Betts and a handful of others. The final list has yet to be finalized, with more stars potentially entering things in the coming days as well in this case.
According to the best-rated sportsbooks, which includes the reliable Bovada review, Alonso holds the top MLB betting odds to win the Home Run Derby at +300. From our chair, it would not be a surprise at all to see him come out on top. Alonso is easily one of the best power hitters in the game and he’ll want to remind people of how great he can be in Seattle. With that said, we’re going with a different player as our selection to be the winner here.
A look at your Home Run Derby contestants so far 👀
Who do you want to see in the remaining 2 spots? ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/TMMQmjuTI9
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 3, 2023
Julio Rodriguez is our pick to win the 2023 Home Run Derby
This would be something, as Julio Rodriguez is our pick to win the 2023 Home Run Derby. Rodriguez is the face of the Mariners franchise and with the All-Star Game taking place in the city, he’s going to hope to bring smiles for a lot of people. What better way to do so than to win the Home Run Derby in front of a packed crowd at T-Mobile Park? This is what J-Rod has on his mind, especially after finishing in second last year.
Indeed, Rodriguez surprised a lot of people last summer when he was able to make the final round. Unfortunately for the youngster, he wasn’t able to get the job done. However, he really made a name for himself and people were able to see just how much potential he has. Rodriguez loves the city of Seattle and this team. He signed a mega-deal last offseason and he’s focused on providing the fanbase with a ton of joy.
454 FEET OFF THE BAT OF JULIO RODRIGUEZ! pic.twitter.com/cxgmnmyNGd
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 7, 2023
“I feel honored to know that I’m going to be a Mariner for a long time,” Rodriguez said via The Player’s Tribune after signing his extension. “I know what it means to wear this jersey. What we got – that’s for us, Seattle. I appreciate with all my heart the trust you put in me from the moment I came to America. I really do. And I trusted you right back to help me grow, to support me and let me be the person I always wanted to be.”
Per the oddsmakers, Rodriguez holds +375 MLB betting odds to win the Home Run Derby next week. It’s not going to be easy for him and there are surely plenty of other sluggers who could end up capturing the crown. However, with the All-Star Game being played at his home park, we think the stars are aligning for Rodriguez to be electric and be the last man standing. With that said, we’re going with him as our pick.
Will Shohei Ohtani participate in the Home Run Derby?
A question a lot of fans have on their mind leading up to things is will Shohei Ohtani participate in the Home Run Derby? Right now, that’s completely up in the air. Ohtani is reportedly still considering being a late entry, but an official announcement on whether or not he’s going to suit up for the HR Derby is totally up in the air. If he does, then he will surely become the new favorite to win it all. Countless folks are hoping that he grabs a bat come next Monday night.
Ohtani currently leads the majors with 31 homers. He’s one of the best players in the bigs, as he can hit homers and also make you look like a fool with his fantastic pitching. Ohtani in the Home Run Derby would be must-see television. We’ll find out soon enough whether or not this will happen or not, but it really would be incredible to witness.
