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Home Run Derby 2015: 3 favorites to win the derby

By Connor Muldowney

Jun 17, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder (84) points to the dugout after a double in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder (84) points to the dugout after a double in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the 2015 Home Run Derby taking place on Monday night, who are the three favorites to win the contest?

The 2015 MLB Home Run Derby is already upon us and there are many big names as well as some solid young up-and-coming stars in the contest, ready to make an impression on baseball fans.

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Plenty of talent is prevalent in this year’s derby and there are big names who every casual baseball fan should know and some lesser-known talents in which this will be their first time to really show the world what they’re made of.

The competition has new rules this year, mainly a bracket setup in which the top four totals don’t exactly get a guaranteed shot at the second round. There are four matchups for the first round and the winner of those one-on-ones will advance — yes, even if the score is 1-0.

Another big change is the five-minute running clock in which players will no longer get 10 outs and a money ball on the ninth out, but five straight minutes to hit all the home runs they can. The clock will stop on home runs inside one minute, though.

Yes, the contest is evolving, but it’s still as exciting as ever. It may take fans a bit of time to get used to the new format, but essentially, it’s the same old Home Run Derby.

The contestants this year are rookie Kris Bryant, rookie Joc Pederson, Manny Machado, Anthony Rizzo, Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Josh Donaldson and hometown star Todd Frazier.

Let’s take a look at who I believe are the three favorites to win the competition.

3. Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

Bryant hasn’t exactly shown the kind of power in which he is capable, but he is still just a rookie. The Chicago Cubs‘ third baseman rounds out an impressive infield with some of the games youngest and brightest stars.

Right now, I have him as a favorite because although he has just 12 homers in the first half of the year, he will pounce all over a 70 mph fastball right down the center of the plate every time. Fellow rookie Joc Pederson has more home runs through the first half, but I think this contest will show us just why there is so much hype behind Kris Bryant.

2. Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels

I don’t think there’s any way Albert Pujols shouldn’t be one of the favorites. Sure, he’s not the same Albert he was about five years ago with the St. Louis Cardinals, but the 35-year-old slugger is tied for the American League lead in home runs, 26, with Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout.

Pujols can still hit the cover off the ball and he has shown that in the first half of the season, currently setting a pace for about 50 home runs to end the campaign and helping the Angels take over first place in the AL West. If the No. 1 favorite on my list wasn’t in the competition, I would almost call Pujols a lock to win it.

1. Prince Fielder, Texas Rangers

The two-time champ Prince Fielder is the only guy in this competition to have won already and he will easily enter as the favorite after a whale of a first half to the season.

Hitting .339 with 15 homers and 54 RBI, Fielder has completely redeemed himself after missing most of the 2014 season with the Texas Rangers and being essentially non-existent in the 2013 postseason with the Detroit Tigers. Fielder can hit the ball to the moon and expect him to come close in the hitter’s park in Cincinnati.

Don’t be shocked if Prince ties the record for most Home Run Derby wins of all time with Ken Griffey Jr. Solid company to be in.

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