Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani will compete in the Home Run Derby during this year’s MLB All-Star festivities in Denver.
The dual-threat star has 19 home runs this season, behind only Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (22) and Ronald Acuna Jr. (22).
BOOM: Shohei Ohtani is competing in this year’s @TMobile #HRDerby on July 12th! pic.twitter.com/G7QbzEclvj
— MLB (@MLB) June 18, 2021
Ohtani is the first official participant of this year’s edition of the Home Run Derby. Toronto Blue Jays star Guerrero Jr., who competed in 2019’s derby and finished as runner-up to New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso, said on Tuesday that he was “still thinking about” taking part again.
“Regarding the derby, I’m still thinking about it,” Guerrero Jr. told reporters, via a translator. “I’m not sure, I’m not going to lie to you, I’m more yes than no. But I haven’t decided yet.”
Guerrero set a record in 2019’s electrifying Derby with 91 total homers but was beaten by Alonso’s 23 in the final round.
This year’s Home Run Derby will take place on July 12 at Coors Field in Denver, followed by the All-Star Game the next day. The 2021 festivities were moved to Colorado from Atlanta over objections to extensive changes to Georgia’s voting laws.
— With files from The Associated Press
