The 2023 MLB All-Star Game starters are set, with Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and J.D. Martinez earning the most votes at their respective positions for the National League. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ three position players starting in the Midsummer Classic is their most since having four in 1980.
For Betts, it is the seventh All-Star Game selection in his career, third with the Dodgers and fourth overall start. With the official announcement, he also is confirmed to participate in the Home Run Derby at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Monday, July 10.
Betts explained his decision to compete in the Home Run Derby by revealing his wife Brianna pushed him to do it, via SportsNet LA:
“Yeah, I stand by it, even though I don’t know that I really want to do it. The wife, she said, ‘You’ve got to do it.’ It’s the last thing I haven’t done, so I’m going to do it, have fun with it, and we’ll see what happens.”
Betts enters play Monday tied for fifth place in baseball with 22 home runs this season. He is additionally among the MLB leaders with 64 runs scored (tied-fourth), .930 on-base plus slugging (fourth) and .523 slugging percentage (seventh).
Betts’ nine leadoff home runs this year is tied with Joc Peterson for the most in Dodgers franchise history. Pederson reached the mark during the 2019 season.
Meanwhile, Betts is becoming the 10th Dodgers player to participate in the Home Run Derby. Mike Piazza (1993, 1994), Raúl Mondesí (1995), Hee-Seop Choi (2005), Matt Kemp (2011, 2012), Yasiel Puig (2014), Pederson (2015), Corey Seager (2016), Cody Bellinger (2017) and Max Muncy (2018) all competed in the event, but fell short of winning.
Pederson reaching the finals in 2015 before losing to Todd Frazier is the team’s best showing to date.
Who is joining Mookie Betts in Home Run Derby?
In addition to Betts, the Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Seattle Mariners All-Star Julio Rodriguez, Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena and New York Mets’ Pete Alonso are confirmed for the Home Run Derby in Seattle. The remaining four participants are due to be announced this week.
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