Monday is the 2013 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby and there has been a slight roster change. National League HR Derby captain David Wright has chosen Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez to replace Colorado Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez, according to MLB.com. Gonzalez had to forego the competition due to a sprained right middle finger.
Alvarez is a great choice with his 23 homeruns which ranks him second in the National League in the category. He is also from the Bronx and will get the chance to perform under the big lights in front of New York City.
According to ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin, the New York Mets third baseman’s selection most likely saved him from a “headache” this weekend. The Mets play the Pirates star a three game series with the Pirates tomorrow and according to analysts, the fans and announcers were prepared to give the Mets third baseman a hard time for not picking their own third baseman.
Joining Wright (13 HR) and Alvarez on the team are Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (13 HR in 55 games) and Colorado Rockies right fielder Michael Cuddyer (15 HR.
On New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano’s (21 HR) team will be Detroit Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder (16 HR), Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (34 HR) and Oakland Athletics left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (15 HR). Cano and Fielder have already won the competition in previous years.
While Cespedes will participate in the HR Derby he is not on the American League All-Star Team. The three other players who were in the competition but not in the All-Star game, according to USAToday.com, are—Rafeal Palmeiro in 2004, Hee-Seop Choi in 2005 and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard in 2007.
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