At 8:00 p.m. tonight, everyone’s eyes will be glued to the TV to watch the eight best sluggers in the world face off in the annual Major League Baseball Home Run Derby. With stars like Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton all battling it out in the same place for the rights to be called the MLB’s best home run hitter, how could you not tune in? This years T-Mobile Home Run Derby is the most anticipated version of this event in over a decade.
Seriously though, how could you not watch this.
Aaron Judge will be looking to back up his record breaking first half of the season with a strong showing tonight, and is considered to be one of the front runners to take home the crown. Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall, Judge has taken the league by storm with his incredible raw power and slugging ability. Judge has rejuvenated Yankees baseball. More fans than ever are packing into Yankees Stadium, all with the hope to see the rookie go deep. The 25-year old not only hits them often, but also hits them farther, and occasionally, into television screens. Whenever Aaron Judge steps up to the plate, it is must see TV.
While Judge is having a record-breaking season, there is another rookie who is hitting home runs at a record pace. Since being called up on April 25th, Bellinger has 25 home runs, with many of them coming in clutch situations. While many people are confident that Judge is the best power hitter in baseball, many fail to forget that Bellinger has played in 14 less games than Judge, and has had nearly 50 fewer at bats. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, Bellinger is 21-years old, Judge is 25. Cody Bellinger’s father, Clay, will be pitching to him tonight, which is another cool part of this years event.
While a match up between Stanton and Judge or Stanton and Bellinger is likely to happen, the battle that may come before that, between Judge and Bellinger might be more entertaining. Two rookies battling it out for bragging rights, but more importantly a spot in the Final Round, that is the definition of must-see TV.
The 2017 T-Mobile Home Run Derby takes place tonight, at 8:00 P.M./EST. The event can be watched on ESPN, or WatchESPN.
For the full bracket, click here.
-Connor Hall (@ByConnorHall)
