2022 Homerun Derby

1/8 Match up Kyle Schwarber is tops in the National League with 29 homeruns and second to Judge in the majors. Schwarber had five homeruns in April, six in May, got hot in June with a dozen and stayed hot with six already in July. Schwarber’s opponent is veteran homerun hitter Albert Pujols who is the active leader in homeruns in the MLB with 685 which is fifth all time. Pujols is back with St. Louis and has six homeruns in limited time with the Cardinals hitting two in April, two in May none in June and already two in July. Both have been in the derby before and lost in the finals, but Pujols will have the veteran edge pacing himself and outlasting Schwarber to advance. Advances: Albert Pujols

4/5 Match up Juan Soto just turned down a long-term deal of 15 year worth $440 million from Washington and looking to hit the open market. Thus far this year Soto has 20 homeruns with four in April, five in May, five in June and six already in July padding his resume for a potential trade. Soto is going up against Jose Ramirez who has 19 homeruns for Cleveland. Ramirez is in an MVP running with those homeruns and 75 RBIs putting Cleveland just two games out of first place. Ramirez has hit seven homeruns in April, six in May, but just three in June and three in July. Just like how the season is going Ramirez will fade in the second half of his time while Soto is strong throughout hits time as a young gun to move on easily. Advances: Juan Soto

3/6 Match up Corey Seager was the last to enter in the derby and has hit 22 homeruns for his new team after spending many years in LA. Seager has hit four homeruns in April, seven in May, four in June and already seven in July. Seager has hit 59 homeruns at Dodger Stadium and 104 for the Dodgers in his seven years there. Julio Rodriguez is in his rookie year and has already hit 16 homeruns as Seattle on a 14-game winning streak and second place in the AL West. Rodriguez had no homeruns in April, six in May, seven in June and three in July. Seager will have too much pressure back in his old home stadium and will struggle at times while Rodriguez plays loose and edges out Seager with a big run in extra time to proceed to the next round. Advances Julio Rodriguez

2/7 Match up Pete Alonso has won the last two homerun derbies and doing so with ease in 2021 he beat Trey Mancini at Coors Field and in 2019 Alonso beat Vlad Guerrero Jr. in Cleveland. Alonso has the Mets in first place, but the defending champs have closed the game, but the Mets have stud pitchers coming back with Scherzer back and deGrom on his way. Alonso has 24 homeruns which is second most of participants. Alonso hit four in April, nine in Man, nine in June and two in July. In this matchup it will be division rivals as Alonso faces Acuna Jr. Acuna Jr. has eight homeruns on the year coming back from a knee injury hitting none in April in just nine games, two in May, five in June and one so far in July. Acuna Jr. will put on a nice show but is still coming back getting his legs under him while Alonso is a veteran of this contest and will move along to the next round in a land slide. Advances: Pete Alonso

Round 2

Pujols takes on Soto in a classic match up of veteran and young stud. Pujols has hit 685 homeruns in his career while Soto has hit 117 homeruns in his career. Pujols has hit 17 career homeruns at Dodger Stadium while Soto has just two. Look for Pujols to pace himself like the first-round while Soto tires himself out early fading and falling short as Pujols win by a pair. Advances Albert Pujols

Rookie Julio Rodriguez took out former hometown player in Seager, who is his division rival, takes on two time the defending champion Alonso who is coming off division rival win himself. Alonso will struggle to make it into another championship round as he gets a little tired and dropping shoulder having some fall short and allowing Rodriguez to surge past to the championship round. Advances Julio Rodriguez.

Championship Round

This is a surprising match up as 6th seed Julio Rodriguez a rookie against well season veteran Albert Pujols as the 8th seed. Both players have done well at pacing themselves and not overswinging to get to this point, but who will have enough energy to take the crown. Look for Pujols to run out of steam in the second half of the last round while the rookie is strong and uses his timeout strategically to give him the edge winning late to take the championship. Wins: Julio Rodriguez
 

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