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Home Run Derby 2015: Albert Pujols to participate

By Jack Crosby

Mar 12, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (5) hits an RBI single in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (5) hits an RBI single in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Albert Pujols will be one of the bigger names taking part in the 2015 Home Run Derby next week in Cincinnati

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We’re just about at the midway point of the 2015 Major League Baseball season, which means that it’s almost time to get the All-Star festivities underway. Of course, this means that we get treated to the Home Run Derby, which will take place next Monday night in Cincinnati. With less than a week to go until the Home Run Derby, we learned that there will be a veteran presence in the lineup.

On Tuesday night the Associated Press announced that Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols will be one of the participants in the annual contest. After being voted as a reserve player on Monday, he spoke with MLB officials and he told them that he will be a part of the long ball contest that we look forward to every season.

This is huge news, especially considering that Pujols is entering Tuesday night with an American League-leading 25 home runs. Whenever you can get the home run leader from either league to commit to this event, that’s a win for everyone around. A lot of times the top home run hitters might hold out, with fear that they could ruin their swing for the remainder of the season. However, Pujols doesn’t seem worried about any of that, and he’ll be participating.

News of Pujols officially entering the Home Run Derby comes on the heels of Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper backing out due to an injury his father suffered that rendered him unable him to pitch to his son. A big name entering after one backs out is always a great thing.

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