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Who is in the Home Run Derby? Tracking the rumors, confirmed participants for 2023 contest

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Dan Treacy
• 9 min read
Julio Rodriguez, Mookie Betts
(Getty Images)

The MLB All-Star Game is an incredible collection of talent and personalities, but there might be no baseball spectacle better than the Home Run Derby.

Who doesn't want to watch some of the most powerful players in the sport smash hundreds of baseballs into the seats? T-Mobile Park in Seattle will host the derby on Monday, July 10, with the rest of MLB's All-Stars in the building.

The NL East has dominated the event since 2018, with Bryce Harper, Pete Alonso (twice), and Juan Soto all winning in that span. The last player from outside the NL East to win the Home Run Derby was Aaron Judge, who won as a rookie in 2017 and hasn't participated since. 

MORE: MLB All-Star voting results after Phase 1

Will Alonso go for his third crown? Who will represent the hometown Mariners? Here's a look at the latest updates and rumors on the Home Run Derby participants.

Home Run Derby 2023 participants updates & rumors

Follow along the latest Home Run Derby announcements and rumors below. 

July 5

The field is set! White Sox OF Luis Robert and Rangers OF Adolis Garcia were confirmed as the final two Home Run Derby participants on Wednesday, rounding out the group.

Robert struggled in the early weeks of the season but has been one of baseball's most productive hitters since an in-game benching in late April. He has 25 home runs, second to only Shohei Ohtani in the American League.

Meanwhile, Garcia is one of the most feared bats in Texas' order. The 30-year old currently leads the AL in RBI's and tends to crush balls when he gets good wood on them. He's already nearly eclipsed his home run total from 2021, smacking 21 of them in just 85 games.

That leaves the field looking like this with five days until derby night: 

  • Pete Alonso (Mets)
  • Randy Arozarena (Rays)
  • Mookie Betts (Dodgers)
  • Adolis Garcia (Rangers)
  • Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays)
  • Luis Robert (White Sox)
  • Julio Rodriguez (Mariners)
  • Adley Rutschman (Orioles)

July 3

A sixth Home Run Derby participant has joined the fray: Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman.

Rutschman was named an all-star on Sunday, just over a year after being called-up by the Orioles. The former No. 1 overall pick has quickly emerged as one of the game's most complete catchers, though it will be interesting to see if his bat can translate to the derby. Rutschman is sitting on just 11 home runs through 79 games this season.

July 2

More than half of the field is now set: Mets first baseman Pete Alonso announced during "Sunday Night Baseball" that he will participate in his fourth consecutive Home Run Derby.

For better or worse, no one takes the derby as seriously as Alonso. With his power, why wouldn't he? Alonso was a back-to-back winner in 2019 and 2021 before falling short in the semifinals last year. He'll aim for a third Home Run Derby crown in Seattle.

Alonso has had a down season in many aspects, but he has 24 home runs on the year despite missing time with a wrist injury in June. 

July 1

Randy Arozarena had previously expressed interest in participating in the Home Run Derby if he received the invite. Well, it appears he has received the invite and will follow through on his interest to partake in the derby.

The All-Star outfielder will be joining the Home Run Derby field in 2023, pushing the total number of  confirmed participants up to four.

The 2021 AL Rookie of the Year has been a dynamic standout in the big leagues, having launched 20 home runs in each of his first two seasons in the big leagues and well on his way to a third straight season with 15 home runs already through his first 80 games of the 2023 season.

June 30

While Mookie Betts' participation in the Home Run Derby had been expected (see below), MLB has now made it official. 

The NL will have a different superstar sitting out, meanwhile. Ronald Acuña Jr. reportedly turned down an invite to the Derby this year, wanting different players to get in. However, he didn't close the door on future appearances.

June 29

Angels manager Phil Nevin is certainly making it sound as though Shohei Ohtani will not be participating in the 2023 Home Run Derby. He told reporters on Thursday he believes Ohtani has already declined participation, though he said he didn't know for sure.

"That would be one that I feel like takes a lot out of guys," Nevin said, per Fletcher. "It's fun to watch and all that but I've just seen a lot of guys not bounce back from that very well. So whether he does or not, I mean, full support of him. I know he's gonna be fine and take care of his body. It's just those are some of the things that make me nervous."

But while Ohtani might not be participating, the 2019 derby runner-up, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., will be. The Blue Jays announced the slugger will be taking his hacks in the derby, hoping to put on another show after launching 69 home runs through his first two rounds of the 2019 derby before running out of steam against Pete Alonso in the finals.

In addition to Guerrero, Betts was confirmed as a starter for the NL Thursday night, meaning he is officially going to participate.

June 27

It doesn't sound as if the man everyone wants to see in the derby (except perhaps nervous Angels fans) is interested in taking part. After hitting two more home runs on June 27, Shohei Ohtani told reporters his participation could hinge on his upcoming pitching schedule, which is still in flux. 

“I don’t know when my next (pitching) start is and it really kind of depends on that. I haven’t thought that far ahead yet,” he said.

But Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register said he would be "very surprised" if the two-way star participates this year, saying he believes Ohtani would prefer the extra rest. 

June 23

So far, only one participant is confirmed: Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez.

While Rodriguez has had a disappointing season, his commitment to the derby is no surprise. The festivities are being held in Seattle, and the league typically includes a player from the host team. Plus, Rodriguez has already proven he's a threat to win. He made it all the way to the finals in last year's derby before falling to Juan Soto. 

Many players only do in the Home Run Derby if they're selected to the All-Star Game, but Rodriguez won't have to worry about traveling to a new city just to participate. He will be able to seek his first derby crown right at home at T-Mobile Park.

There is, however, another likely participant already unveiled. Dodgers star Mookie Betts said he will participate in the Home Run Derby if he's selected as an All-Star. Betts is a finalist to start in the outfield for the National League and would likely be chosen even if he wasn't voted in, so his inclusion in the derby seems almost certain. 

Betts has two championships and one MVP to his name, but he has never participated in the Home Run Derby. Why now? "It’s the last thing I haven’t done," Betts told MLB.com, explaining that his wife encouraged him to participate. 

With two heavy hitters already expected to be part of the eight-man field, this is already looking like a must-watch Home Run Derby.

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Dan Treacy
Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News.
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