Fansided

MLB Home Run Derby 2022: 3 players we wish were participating

By Noah Yingling

BOSTON, MA - JULY 8: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees warms up before a game against the Boston Red Sox on July 8, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JULY 8: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees warms up before a game against the Boston Red Sox on July 8, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels, Home Run Derby
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JULY 15: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels grounds out against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 15, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

1) Los Angeles Angels outfielder/pitcher Shohei Ohtani

One of the best hitters in the sport is also a pitcher. That hasn’t been said since Babe Ruth did it 100 years ago but Los Angeles Angels outfielder Shohei Ohtani is now.

Ohtani participated in the 2021 Home Run Derby at Coors Field in Denver last year as the #1 seed and hit 28 home runs in the first round. However, he was quickly dispatched in that first round by Nationals outfielder Juan Soto, who hit 31.

Ohtani is an All-Star again this season as he is hitting .258/.348/.486 with an OPS+ of 135. He also has 19 home runs, 56 RBI, and 15 doubles.

With his pitching, he has an rWAR of 4.9, which is the best in the American League.

Being able to see him hit bombs in the Home Run Derby on Monday and pitching on Tuesday would be a great sight, but at least in 2022, we won’t be able to relive what we saw at Coors Field. But, perhaps 2023 in Seattle will be the year.

Next. 2022 Home Run Derby bracket and predictions. dark

Home/MLB