Mike Trout will not participate in Home Run Derby
By Hayden Kane
Here is a proposition: if Mike Trout is not going to participate in the Home Run Derby, then that should mean that he plays the entire All-Star Game. It only seems fair.
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The Los Angeles Angels’ superstar was predictably voted into the starting lineup for the American League for the 2014 All-Star Game. If the midsummer classic is truly baseball’s showcase, then we should get to see as much Trout as possible. If that is not going to happen in the Home Run Derby then it absolutely should in the game itself. That’s not to mention the fact that manager John Farrell would be wise to play Trout as much as he can to try and win the game for the AL.
As for the Home Run Derby, Trout said on Sunday that he was approached by Jose Bautista about participating and turned the opportunity down. Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports the following:
"Center fielder Mike Trout, who is batting .308 with a team-high 20 home runs and 63 runs batted in, will start the July 15 game for the second straight year, but he turned down an invitation to participate in the home run derby, saying he “just wants to be able to enjoy” the event and that he may do it later in his career."
Thankfully for Bautista and for interested observers, there is no shortage of entertaining power bats to add to the team (if they are willing). That is especially true if Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu is being serious when he says he might partake in the festivities.
As for Trout, we will have to wait until another year to see him in the event.