David Kohl – USA TODAY Sports
It was announced on Thursday evening that Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez would not participate in the 2013 Home Run Derby. Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez was selected to replace Gonzalez on the National League Home Run Derby team.
Alvarez will be joining a NL team that consists of Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer, New York Mets third baseman David Wright and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper. The American League team is made up of Detroit Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder, New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis and Oakland Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
Alvarez not being picked for the derby in the first place was comical, especially with Cuddyer being picked instead of him. Alvarez, with 23 home runs, is one of the best home run hitters in MLB. Not only does he hit a bunch of home runs, but he hits long ones. According to ESPN’s home run tracker, the Pirates’ third baseman has two home runs longer than 450 feet. 15 of his 23 home runs have been at least 400 feet. Alvarez doesn’t usually clear the fence by a few feet. When he hits home runs, he launches them.
He probably has more raw home run power than anyone in MLB right now, and he will prove that in the derby. He has effortless power to all parts of the field. If Alvarez made more contact, his power numbers would obviously increase a lot. He is so hit-or-miss that I wouldn’t be surprised if all of his outs in the derby are on swings and misses and every time he makes contact it’s a homer. I’m being a bit sarcastic, but I know one thing for sure: Alvarez will put on a show in the derby.
