New York Mets powerhouse Pete Alonso is set to compete in the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby on July 10th in Seattle, aiming to secure his third victory in the prestigious event. Expressing his enthusiasm, Alonso stated his excitement about the competition and the impressive lineup of participants, predicting a memorable derby.
Following his 25th home run of the season, Alonso received his third All-Star selection and will be the sole representative for the New York Mets at the All-Star game. This marks his fourth time participating in the Home Run Derby. He joins a field of strong contenders including Randy Arozarena (Tampa Bay Rays), Mookie Betts (Los Angeles Dodgers), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays), and Julio Rodríguez (Seattle Mariners).
Alonso previously won the Home Run Derby in 2019 and 2021, joining Ken Griffey Jr. and Yoenis Céspedes as the only back-to-back champions in the event's history. The 2020 derby was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his rookie year, Alonso narrowly defeated Guerrero Jr. in a thrilling final round, securing a $1 million prize. Two years later, he dominated the competition at Coors Field, hitting a remarkable 74 home runs and ultimately defeating Trey Mancini in the finals.
Last year, Alonso triumphed over Ronald Acuña Jr. in the first round but was subsequently defeated by Rodríguez in the semifinals. Currently, Alonso boasts a .221 batting average with 25 home runs and 58 RBIs in 76 games this season. Despite a recent wrist injury, he made a swift recovery and emphasized that his priority was returning to the team, with the derby being a welcome bonus.
