The 2019 Home Run Derby provided one of the most memorable editions yet of the event. It did so despite the absence of National League MVP candidates and All-Star Game starters Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich, two of the three players to hit 30 home runs before the break.
The other hitter to reach that mark, New York Mets rookie Pete Alonso, ended up winning the Derby. Yelich, who leads MLB with 31 homers, was slated to participate until being ruled out due to a minor back injury. Though, he still participated in the All-Star game itself.
Bellinger was also asked to join this year’s Home Run Derby field but respectfully declined the invite. That in some part paved the way for Joc Pederson to make his second appearance and add to a historic career in the event.
Bellinger’s reasoning for not joining the Derby had nothing to do with any physical problems. Rather, he simply wanted to avoid the mental toll of the day, as he explained to David Vassegh on AM 570 L.A. Sports:
“It’s going to be in L.A. next year, so that’s a higher possibility (of participating). I just wanted to go this year and enjoy the first day and joy it. I remember in ’17, you got to the field, did what you had to do, and for me I was kind of anxious leading up to it the whole day. And then you hit batting practice, then you’ve got to hit extra for a minute, just to get ready for the Derby with no cage. It’s showtime and you’re kind of nervous and anxious. I just wanted to go there and relax completely the first day. I’ll definitely consider it next year in L.A.”
As Bellinger points out, All-Star Week makes it way to Dodger Stadium next season for the first time since 1980. It will mark the first-ever Home Run Derby held there, as the annual tradition did not start until 1985.
The Home Run Derby usually features a hometown slugger among the field. For instance, Carlos Santana of the host Cleveland Indians participated this year, while then-Washington Nationals superstar Bryce Harper won the 2018 Home Run Derby at Nationals Park.
With the Dodgers hosting the event next year, Bellinger seems like an ideal candidate to fill that role, and he knows it. After all, he currently holds the National League rookie home run record due after hitting 39 in 2017, although Alonso may easily break that record this year.
However, Bellinger could have some competition from Pederson and Max Muncy, both power hitters in their own right who have successful track records in the Derby. The Dodgers have yet to have a player win the contest, but 2020 could very well see the end of that drought.
