1. Good for the game of baseball
The previous four reasons add up to this one. Having a young player like Bryant is great for the game of baseball because it shows that there is immense talent at every age in the league while also providing yet another prime example of a role model for kids looking to pick up the game.
What better stage to showcase what baseball has created than to put the 23-year-old third baseman at the plate with pitches in his sweet spot every single time, seeing just how far he can hit it.
It’s some kids’ dreams to participate in the derby and I can even remember gathering friends together when I was younger, trying to emulate the swing of my favorite player and hit as many home runs as possible.
Harper not being there is a negative for the game, but the addition of Bryant could even that out. Cespedes is already a great thing for the game as everyone is going to want to see if he can defend his crown once again and Bryant will be there with a ton to prove.
Who is that rookie who is making an All-Star appearance in his first season as a major leaguer and is also participating in the Home Run Derby? That’s the type of question that will make people who know very little about Bryant tune in to see what he’s all about.
Baseball can only grow from this. Bryant needs to be there next week.
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