All-Star outfielder Julio Rodriguez will be the first Mariners player since 2016 to participate in the MLB Home Run Derby, which this year will be held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
Julio Rodriguez is (so far) the only Mariners player selected to play in this year’s MLB All-Star game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. On Wednesday, he confirmed he will also take part in the Home Run Derby, making him the 14th rookie in Major League history to participate in the event.
Rodriguez is the seventh player in club history to compete in the Home Run Derby and the first since Robinson Cano in 2016. Ken Griffey Jr. is the only Mariners player to ever win the event, which he did on three occasions, in 1994, 1998 and 1999. (The other four Mariners players to participate were Jay Buhner, Alex Rodriguez, Bret Boone and Edgar Martinez.)
The 21-year-old is the only rookie in this year’s field and the first to take part since Pete Alonso and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2019. Alonso and Aaron Judge are the only rookies to outright win the competition. (Wally Joyner was a co-champ in 1986.)
Rodriguez is having a tremendous debut season in the Majors, already living up to the hype as a potential five-tool superstar . He became the fastest player in league history to reach 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases, achieving this in 81 games.
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The Dominican Republic native actually had no home runs during the first 20 games of his Major League career. As of Friday morning however, he leads all rookies with 15 home runs and is second with 45 RBI.
Rodriguez spoke to the media on Wednesday and shared his memories about the Home Run Derby growing up. He said:
“Since I can remember, I’ve been watching Home Run Derbies every time I get the chance. Since I was a kid I have that dream to play in one, and now that I’ve got a chance to be in one, it’s very surreal that it’s happening. I’m just very excited to participate in it.”
In terms of how Rodriguez will do in the event, manager Scott Servais has no doubt. Speaking to the media, he said:
“It’s Julio. I’m sure he’ll do well. He’ll represent the Mariners very, very well.”
Rodriguez is the sixth seed in this year’s event, due to him being sixth in home runs among all participants when the seeds were set. As the lower seed in his matchup against the Rangers’ Corey Seager, he will hit first.
For anyone who needs a brief refresher of the current rules, there are three rounds in the Home Run Derby. The player who hits the most homers in each matchup will move onto the next round; players have three minutes in the first two rounds, followed by two minutes in the final.
Rodriguez’s announcement of his participation in the event came on the same day he served a suspension in the first game of the Mariners’ double header against the Nationals. He was originally suspended two games, for his part in the recent brawl with the Los Angeles Angels.
Admittedly there are a lot of factors, including some luck, which go into determining the winner in any Home Run Derby. Regardless, what is your prediction for how well Rodriguez will do in this year’s event? Let us know in the comments section below.
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