Home Run Derby 2015 participants announced

After Wednesday night, we now know the participants for the 2015 Home Run Derby this Monday night

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We’ve just about reached the halfway point of the 2015 MLB season, which means that it’s almost time for the All-Star festivities. Of course, that means it’s time for one of the most anticipated events of the year in baseball, the Home Run Derby.

This year, though, things will look a little different. To try and bring some more eyes back to the annual long ball contest, Major League Baseball decided to make some changes to the process. Beginning with the Home Run Derby this year, the contest will now be a single-elimination format with timed rounds, which actually should make things go a lot smoother.

One player that we know for sure will not be taking part in the festivities is Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper, who announced recently that he would be skipping the contest because his father’s injury is preventing him from throwing to his son.

For as much as that absence stings, though, we do know after Tuesday that Albert Pujols will be a part of everything on Monday, bringing some star power to it all.

On the Wednesday evening edition of SportsCenter, the full list of participants for the 2015 Home Run Derby were announced and here’s a look at this year’s field:

The 2015 MLB Home Run Derby will take place Monday night on ESPN at 8 PM ET

Who do you see coming away with the win on Monday night? Let us know in the comments below.