3 Darkhorse Longshots That Can Win the Home Run Derby (It's a Conspiracy Man)

We all know that Pete Alonso is a two-time defending champion and back for more this year. This is basically the way the Mets have paid his salary, it’s just the prize money from the Home Run Derby. This year though, Alonso got a raise and is making $7.4 million. He’s still the favorite to win, but hungry dogs run faster and with the Polar Bear fat and happy this year, it could open the door for a longshot to take the throne. 

MLB Home Run Derby Odds

• Pete Alonso +185
• Kyle Schwarber +280
• Juan Soto +600
• Ronald Acuna Jr. +750
• Julio Rodriguez +800
• Corey Seager +1000
• Jose Ramirez +1600
• Albert Pujols +2400

MLB Home Run Derby Longshot Picks

When Pete Alonso won two years ago, all the talk was that the prize money was more than his salary. That has to be a motivating factor for young players in this event and leads us right to the rookie, Julio Rodriguez. 

Rodriguez has shown tons of pop this year, his first home run was launched 450 feet off Sandy Alcantara. He has a beautiful swing from the right side and the type of power to hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium. 

Inexperience can hurt players in this event, but Rodriguez is a star with a feel for the big moment. I mean just look at the amount of swagger this guy has. 

If you’re of the mindset that a homecoming and a hot bat will win the Derby, then might I interest you in Corey Seager. Obviously, we know that Seager was the 2020 World Series MVP for the Dodgers and is coming back to LA after fleeing for Texas and $325 million. He is also coming into the All-Star break as one of the hottest hitters in baseball. He hit a home run in five straight games from July 8 to 12 and hit another three days ago. 

This is my final and favorite darkhorse pick for the Derby. So please, join me in putting on your tin foil hat and take this trip down conspiracy theory lane. This season has been an Albert Pujols lovefest. He’s in his swansong season, only has six home runs and yet the MLB has decided to shove him down our throats on All-Star weekend. What would be better for the MLB than Pujols winning the Home Run Derby in his final year? 

You might think, “yeah they would love that, but he’s 42 years old he probably can’t even swing the bat for three minutes.” And you would be right. But the only thing the MLB loves more than parading around future Hall of Famers like show ponies in their final season, is cheating. 

You cannot tell me that Rob Manfred hasn’t juiced the balls for Albert or given him a corked bat. He might go up with an aluminum bat filled with tennis balls, painted like wood. Either that or they’ve spent the past week getting Albert on the 1992 Mark Mcgwire regime. The MLB just won’t let Albert Pujols go out and embarrass himself in their showcase event. 

Follow all Josh’s bets HERE