HOMETOWN HERO WINS HOME RUN DERBY

Honestly, I absolutely love the All Star Break! It turns me into a 5 year old on Christmas morning. I love watching the talent from all over the MLB. And the Home Run Derby always makes me super excited.

The rules have changed a little this season. It's now a head to head, single elimination game. Each contestant gets 5 minutes to swing for the fences. Then for two homers hit 420+ feet, they get an extra minute, and for one homer hit 475+ feet, they get an extra thirty seconds. Here's a picture for those of you who are visual.

This years Derby featured some incredible bats, including two time champ Prince Fielder. Personally, I thought Fielder had it in the bag. I was so very wrong. Josh Donaldson, Albert Pujols, Manny Machado, Joc Pederson, Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Todd Frazier also participated.

The first round went to Donaldson, Pederson, Pujols and Frazier. The most exciting first round was the match up between Fielder and Frazier. Like I said, my money was on Fielder. He came out strong, and hit an impressive 13 homers. Frazier proved that 13 was not enough, with an equally impressive 14 homers. Pederson also had an impressive first round, hitting 13 homers in 3 minutes.

Pederson would again give an impressive show in the semi-finals beating Pujols, 12 homer runs to 11. He went on to face Frazier in the finals, where he hit 14 homers. Incredibly, 14 was not enough to get Pederson the win. Frazier, this years ASG Hometown Hero, managed to hit 15 insane home runs.

I didn't really enjoy this years rule change. I know it's meant to keep the derby from going all night. However, Fielder and Machado who had 13 and 12 homers in the first round respectively, both out hit Pujols and Donaldson who only hit 9 and 10 homers in their match ups. The fact that they out hit Pujols and Donaldson, and were still eliminated from the semi's seems rather absurd. The best performing hitters should have moved forward. Of course, the MLB will probably make another change to the rule next season. The MLB is always looking for ways to bring in an audience.

Frazier did an incredible job. It was a well earned Home Run Derby win. For it to happen in his home field was great for the fans. Congrats, Frazier. From little leaguer on the field with Captain Derek Jeter, to Home Run King.

--Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer 
Twitter: @e_morales1804

  


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